Albio Sires: “I rise in support of H.R. 2. I am proud to be a Member of Congress at a time when I can help the nearly 13 million…”

“I rise in support of H.R. 2. I am proud to be a Member of Congress at a time when I can help the nearly 13 million American workers that will benefit from an increase in the minimum wage, including the almost 2.8 million Hispanic workers whose quality of life will be greatly improved by this legislation. For the past 9 years, America's working families have not received a pay raise. Today, minimum wage employees working 40 hours a week, 52 weeks a year, earn $5,000 below the poverty level for a family of three. How can we allow so many hardworking families to live in poverty? Increasing the minimum wage to $7.25 an hour will give our working families an additional $4,400 a year. This will help them meet critical needs such as rent, health care, child care, and food. I urge all Members to please support this legislation. In this 110th Congress, we must reaffirm the American Dream that rewards hard work with good pay and the opportunity to support strong and healthy families. An increase in the minimum wage will help us achieve this goal. I urge all of my colleagues to support this legislation.”