William R. Richardson: “What issue is supported by 85 percent of the American people? What issue is supported by 61 percent of Republican…”

“What issue is supported by 85 percent of the American people? What issue is supported by 61 percent of Republican voters? Increasing the minimum wage. So why do we not do it cleanly, without amendments that will clutter the issue? Mr. Speaker, the last vote to increase the minimum wage occurred in 1989, and due to inflation much of this increase has been eroded. Who does an increase in the minimum wage help? Twelve million Americans. Sixty percent of these are adults over 25 years old; mainly women. Mr. Speaker, this is not a teenager-plus issue. It is an issue that affects all Americans. Twelve million Americans would benefit from an increase to $5.15 an hour, including 100,000 New Mexico workers. Raising the minimum wage is a critical step in moving people from welfare to work. Someone can make more on welfare than they can by working right now. Is $8,400 a year sufficient to help a family? The answer is 'no,' Mr. Speaker. Let us end the politics, let us pass a minimum wage bill.”