ContactsNewark Office Camden Office Washington, DC 
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Frankly Speaking
Honor Hard Work with a Higher Minimum WageAugust 29, 2006 The federal government is supposed to work for the people of the United States. Unfortunately, the Republican-dominated 109th Congress has failed to address some of the most urgent needs of the American people. There is no energy policy to reduce our dependence on oil. There have been no measures to curb the soaring cost of health care. And this month Congress adjourned for August recess without approving a long-overdue pay raise for the millions of Americans who work for minimum wage. The federal minimum wage is $5.15 an hour, which comes to $230 for a 40-hour week – before payroll taxes and other deductions. That means millions of Americans who work hard all week are living in poverty. That’s a disgrace. The promise of America has always been that if you work hard, you can realize your dreams. But for many men, women and families who work for minimum wage, the grand dream of America has gone dim. Today, these hardworking Americans are struggling to make ends meet in order to feed their families and clothe their children. The minimum wage hasn’t been increased in 10 years. Since that time, Congress has raised its own pay by $30,000. It’s past time to give minimum wage workers a raise. Democrats have been fighting for years to increase the minimum wage. The latest vote on the issue was on June 21, when a proposal to increase the minimum wage failed to receive the necessary 60 votes in the Senate. Not a single Democrat voted against the proposal, while 46 Republicans opposed it. This was just the latest incidence of Senate Republicans rejecting an increase in the minimum wage. Republicans hold a majority in the Senate. They set the agenda. And when they had a chance to raise the minimum wage, almost every Republican voted against it. Instead, they tried to hold the minimum wage hostage to a proposal to reduce estate taxes on the wealthiest Americans. That proposal would have simply piled more debt on the backs of our grandchildren, and it was rejected by Democrats because it was wrong for the country. Our country needs a new direction and new leadership. When Congress returns from its August recess, I hope we can get to work on the issues that matter to most Americans – issues like gas prices, health care, and a decent minimum wage for hard-working Americans. |
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