|
Washington, D.C. - Ways and Means Committee Ranking Member Charles B. Rangel issued the following statement insisting that the Republican House Leadership schedule a vote on raising the minimum wage without attaching potentially divisive legislation:
“Millions of Americans are waiting for an overdue increase in the minimum wage, they want results, not rank political strategy,” said Ranking Member Rangel. “An overwhelming majority of Americans have said they favor increasing the minimum wage and the people’s House should honor their wishes without stooping to political gamesmanship. Democrats have a strong record in favor of raising the minimum wage and any attempts to sabotage this increase will only come back to haunt the Republican Congress.”
The minimum wage has not been increased since 1997 and is at its lowest level (adjusted for inflation) in 50 years. House Democrats have offered a number of motions on the House Floor to gradually raise the minimum wage to $7.25 an hour by 2009. These motions were defeated by the Republican majority in the House.
–###-
|
