On the recordMarch 9, 2000
I voted against that rule because I believe that we ought to live by the very rules that we pass in this House. It is important that we consider the costs when we are imposing on local governments, as well as small business men and women, it is important that we recognize that cost and that it is an unfunded mandate when we vote a cost without providing the money to pay for it. The approach in the DeMint- Stenholm amendment would have given States flexibility to debate the minimum wage as part of an overall policy to deal with poverty, low- income families, and welfare reform. I would much rather do it that way than the way in which we are proposing to do it today. Some States may choose to have a lower minimum wage but offset this with State assistance to low-income families for health care, child care, job training, education or other programs.
Source
govinfo.gov
