On the recordJuly 8, 1996
I rise in opposition to a 21-percent increase in the minimum wage. That does not mean that I do not want individuals that make the minimum wage to make more money. I hope that they do. I hope they make a lot more. I hope we are not satisfied with them making $5.15. I would like for them to make a lot more. But what I would hate to do is to pass a Federal law that says it is illegal for them to work for $5. In other words, if the economic situation in some area will only allow a job to pay $5 or $4.50, I do not think we should pass a Federal law to say it is illegal for them to take the job. That is exactly what we are doing.
Source
govinfo.gov




