Tom Udall: “for nearly a decade, millions of American workers have waited for an increase in the Federal minimum wage, but none has…”

“for nearly a decade, millions of American workers have waited for an increase in the Federal minimum wage, but none has come. They have watched as the purchasing power of their paycheck has crumbled, giving way to inflation. Many are working families, struggling to make ends meet, yet for 9 years Congress has ignored them and refused to pass a clean, simple increase in the minimum wage. Nearly 44 percent of minimum wage workers work full time, nearly two- thirds of whom are women. Even working full time, they often remain below the poverty line. They are unable to buy their own home, cannot afford health insurance for themselves and their children, and often take a second job just to pay the bills. Mr. Speaker it is time to increase the Federal minimum wage. I strongly support implementing a 2-year plan that would increase the minimum wage from $5.15 an hour to $7.25 an hour. However, I also strongly support passing such legislation cleanly, without attachments of tax cuts, without attachment of controversial language or convoluted provisions. We must demonstrate that we support those American families, those who are wondering why they are working 50-hour work weeks yet cannot seem to make ends meet.”