Thomas Daschle: “The answer is very simple. Obviously, if we could put some sort of cost of living adjustment in the minimum wage we…”

“The answer is very simple. Obviously, if we could put some sort of cost of living adjustment in the minimum wage we would do so. We would do so today. We would do so any time. Obviously that is not possible. So we have to revisit the issue from time to time. The average length of time between increases of the minimum wage is 6 or 7 years. You cannot do it the first couple of years. We know that. As much as we would like to, we recognize the limitations of increasing the minimum wage. But over a period of time, you finally have to come to the conclusion that, if you cannot do it in 2 years, if you cannot do it in 3 years, at least you have to do it in 5 years. That is really what this is all about--a recognition that we could not do it before but we ought to do it now--now that we have reached a purchasing power level that approaches the lowest in history. So certainly the Senator from Oklahoma recognizes, as all of us do, that this is the time to face up to the facts and adjust this minimum wage as we know we must.”