Political Quotes

Richard K. Armey: “I take exception to all the arguments that say there is no downside to raising the minimum wage. In addition, of course…”

On the recordMay 23, 1996
I take exception to all the arguments that say there is no downside to raising the minimum wage. In addition, of course, to the perverse employment effects on the least advantaged workers in America, there is in fact a cost to be borne in the private sector. Once again we are contemplating a course of action where Washington gets to feel good about its generosity, while others bear the cost. Once again we get to feign compassion by bleeding our hearts with other people's money. This is not an acceptable course of action, and I encourage everybody who believes we ought not to be imposing unfunded mandates on the rest of the Nation to vote ``no'' on imposing this on funded mandate on America.
Said by
Richard K. Armey
Texas

Editor's note · Context

Addressing the implications of raising the minimum wage during a congressional debate.

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