Political Quotes

“I rise today to support raising the minimum wage over a period of 2 years instead of 3 years. The current minimum wage is $5.15 per hour. At this rate, a full-time year-round minimum wage earner in the United States makes approximately $10,712 per year. In 1998, the yearly salary determined necessary for a family of three to rise above the poverty level in this country was $13,003, an amount $2,291 more than the minimum wage salary provides. Clearly, the current minimum wage is too low. Congress has already inexcusably allowed the value of the minimum wage to fall 21 percent lower than in 1979. If the minimum wage is not increased by the year 2001, recent studies show that the inflation adjusted value will fall to $4.90 per hour. It is essential that the minimum wage is raised over the course of 2 years instead of 3. That is why I will support the Traficant amendment, and I urge everyone to support the Traficant amendment.”