Elizabeth Furse: “I rise today in support of raising the minimum wage, and helping reward the millions of Americans who work hard…”

“I rise today in support of raising the minimum wage, and helping reward the millions of Americans who work hard everyday. It has been 5 years since Congress last increased the minimum wage--5 years with less purchase power to pay for groceries, hospital bills, and car payments. Members of Congress who oppose the minimum wage are simply out of touch. Members of Congress make more money in 1 month with taxpayer dollars than people on minimum wage make in an entire year. There are thousands of hardworking families in my district in Oregon, and across the country, who deserve this overdue increase in their take home pay. I am proud that Oregon's minimum wage is already higher than the national level. The bill before us today would raise the minimum wage to $5.15 by July, 1997, which would represent a 40-cent increase to Oregon workers. I find it disturbing that amendments have been introduced to repeal minimum wage coverage for 10 million American workers. We must not go backward; we must reward people who work hard with good wages. I urge my colleagues to oppose these amendments. It is a remarkable fact that almost two-thirds of minimum wage workers are adults. In addition, almost 4 in 10 are the sole breadwinners for their family. In light of these facts, I believe that increasing minimum wage is the best welfare reform because it makes work pay.”