Political Quotes

“I know something about unfunded mandates and municipal government. I was the mayor of the largest city in the State of Vermont for 8 years. But I also know something about the responsibility of the Federal Government and the responsibility of the U.S. Congress to all the people in the United States. There may be some people in this Chamber and there may be State legislatures in America who are not concerned that we have millions of Americans working for starvation wages. There may be no concern on that area. But it does seem to me to be appropriate that here, in the U.S. Congress, we stand by boldly and say that if you are going to work in the United States of America, you should be working for a wage that can provide adequately for your family. A gentleman earlier talked about the earned-income tax credit. Well, you know what, I voted for that bill. But I will tell you something, I do not believe that the working people of America and the middle class through increased taxes should be subsidizing McDonald's and Burger King and other low-wage employers in America. If somebody is going to employ somebody, they should be paying a living wage and not a starvation wage, and this Congress should not put roadblocks in the way of those of us who want to raise the minimum wage to a living wage.”