Political Quotes

“today I regret that I must speak in opposition to H.R. 3448, the Small Business Job Protection Act. Despite the fact that as one of the conferees on this bill I worked to incorporate, and support, many of the tax provisions contained in the legislation, and despite the fact that as chairman of the Trade Subcommittee I support a key trade provision contained in the bill, I must oppose this bill because of the minimum-wage increase it contains. Increasing the minimum wage will not protect jobs as the title of this legislation implies, but will do just the opposite--it will destroy jobs. Although I do not intend to dwell entirely on this issue in my statement, as I do not intend to dwell entirely on this issue in my statement, as I do want to discuss the tax and trade portion of the bill as well, I do want to include in the Record following my statement, the testimony from someone who certainly knows something about the impact of the minimum wage on a business.”