Frank Lautenberg: “we have very few hours before we depart for the August break. Let's say we have 6 hours--360 minutes-- before we leave…”

“we have very few hours before we depart for the August break. Let's say we have 6 hours--360 minutes-- before we leave to campaign or vacation or meet with constituents back home. How are we going to use 360 minutes? The Republican leadership's idea is to use that precious time to pass the so-called ``trifecta'' bill. It's a bill that was sent to us from the House, and I think it symbolizes all that is wrong with the Republican Congress. For one, it is a cynical ruse. This bill holds the minimum wage hostage in exchange for a dramatic reduction in the inheritance tax--which only the richest families in America pay. The minimum wage has been stuck at $5.15 for almost a decade. That's $10,712 a year. And even though the Republican leadership has blocked a clean vote on the minimum wage for years, this ``trifecta'' bill marries the minimum wage increase with this huge cut in the inheritance tax. This inheritance tax only affects the richest one-half of 1 percent of families in the country. So, in other words, the Republican position is: we will only help everyday working people in America if you give multi-millionaires and billionaires a bribe. Mr. President, that is not the way to govern this country. This bill is also offensive because it is so out of touch with the priorities of the American people. Why aren't we taking steps to actually bring down gas prices? Gas is over $3 a gallon. It costs $60 to fill a tank for many people.…”