Jeff Bingaman: “finally, the issue of raising the minimum wage has come to the floor for a vote. It has been disturbing during these…”

“finally, the issue of raising the minimum wage has come to the floor for a vote. It has been disturbing during these many months that the Republican leadership has employed extraordinary legislative tactics, some quite complicated and perplexing even for our parliamentarians, to keep the Members of this Chamber from voting on this issue. In the State of New Mexico, which I represent, more than 10 percent of the work force, approximately 80,000 workers, would receive a wage increase if this legislation is passed. Let me put in stark perspective what we are talking about. Minimum wage levels today are approaching their lowest levels in history. Despite having raised the minimum wage 17 times since 1938, each time with bipartisan support, the minimum wage will hit its lowest level in real dollars in January 1997. Two-thirds of those earning the minimum wage today--and working full time--are adults, and 40 percent of those earning minimum wage are the sole breadwinners for their families. For working hard, trying to stay in the mainstream of those wanting to get ahead in this economy, these workers make just $8,840 a year. And usually, they don't have health coverage. They don't have gain-sharing. They aren't covered by pension benefits. And their training resources are usually very limited, if not non-existent. This is a subject that we should have been allowed to vote on long ago. Americans need to know that we support those who want to work to get ahead.”