Mark Pocan

So let me try to follow up on Mr. Salmon and Mr. Polis' question.

I would argue that we should be talking about right to freeload, rather than right-to-work laws.

I hate to see the Federal Government get in front of the line to race to the bottom when it comes to this.

I demand a recorded vote. The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to clause 6 of rule XVIII, further proceedings on the amendment offered by the gentleman from Wisconsin will be postponed. Amendment No. 5 Offered by Mr. Ratcliffe

I think that speaks louder than anything that I could say with regard to the limitations of the Mine Act.

And if you understood what mine rescue really involved, I think we would all be taking our hats off in a thankful way.

And I think the judge you referred to was U.S. Federal District Judge David Sam, who was actually appointed under President Reagan.

I want to ask--you talked just a little bit about the situation in Utah.

I remember one time getting a 12 percent increase, and I was really excited about getting that for a year.

I think one of the myths is about the number of businesses affected.

We did a good job of lawyering up again; we have got a lot of lawyers on the panel.

If you really believe in your convictions that is too short of a timeline, please--I will get you, if you would like, the address of our governor and our legislative leaders.

I think it is far more intrusive to have someone at your door.

This myth of this 10 or 11-day election is much like the myth of the Loch Ness Monster or Bigfoot.

It becomes an unlevel playing field when someone who can violate the law and, by violating the law, cut some corners.

As a business owner I want to have a level playing field.

That alone speaks volumes, that the very contractors who violate the law don't want to come before a Committee to actually speak the truth.

I am more likely to bid on something knowing that I am doing a fair bid, that I am bidding at the same level playing field.

We don't want to compete unfairly when it comes to that.

Thank you, Representative Lee. I look forward to working with you on our Progressive alternative also for the budget, when, I think, we will showcase many of those initiatives that we would much rather see the country do to help create…

Thank you, Representative Hahn. I think you said it very eloquently. We are all for trade. I don't think there is a Member in this body who doesn't want to see trade happen, but we want fair trade. We don't want the so-called free trade…

Again, thank you, Mr. Lowenthal. Because that is the problem--we have been told the Speaker won't schedule the vote, but there are other ways. Every single Member of this body can sign a discharge petition, and if we get a majority of us…

I would like to ask the gentleman if you signed the discharge petition so that we can force a vote in this House to raise the minimum wage in the remaining weeks we have before we finish the session for the year.

If I could just ask you, gentlemen, one question--and I will go to Mr. Rangel again for a comment. Let me ask you a question. The leadership in this House, the Republican leadership, has refused to schedule a bill to raise the minimum…

I want it just as much for the small-business owner, which I am as well, but I want it for that worker.