(Washington, DC)  --  U.S. Rep. Steven C. LaTourette (R-OH) today announced that he and Rep. Frank LoBiondo (R-NJ) have successfully convinced House Leadership to hold a vote to raise the minimum wage before Congress adjourns for the August District Work Period.  The vote to raise the minimum wage to $7.25 an hour over three years will be held tomorrow.

 “It’s been almost a decade since we raised the minimum wage. Working Americans need a raise, and we weren’t going to be denied,” LaTourette said.  “If somebody works 40 hours a week in this country they should not be below the poverty level.  How can you defend $5.15 an hour in today’s economy?”

 LaTourette said he and LoBiondo convinced Leadership that a vote was necessary.  The two Republicans, co-chairs of the Republican Working Group on Labor, informed Leadership last night if a vote on minimum wage was not scheduled this week that 30 House Republicans had agreed to oppose a measure to allow the House to adjourn in August.  With 30 Republicans opposing the adjournment measure, it could not pass and the House would have to stay in session.  Congress is historically not in session in August and does not return to Washington for legislative votes until after Labor Day.

 “Our gritty band of 30 House Republicans had one message – we were prepared to force a vote and we would stay in town until it happened,” LaTourette said.  “Our preference was gentle arm twisting, but we were ready to do a full-on body slam if necessary.”

 LaTourette said he and LoBiondo cornered Boehner on the House Floor last night shortly after 8 p.m. and told him that 30 Republicans had promised to bring down the adjournment vote and force Congress to stay in session.  At 7:55 p.m., the Whip office sent out an e-mail notice about the final votes of the night; the adjournment measure was the last scheduled vote for the day.  Less than an hour later, at 8:51 p.m., a revised Floor schedule was sent to Members and the vote to adjourn had been pulled off the schedule.  LaTourette said an emergency meeting regarding the minimum wage was called for House Republicans at 11 a.m. today, at which time Leadership listened to about 30 members who said the measure needed to come up for a vote.  A second meeting was held late this afternoon.

 LaTourette said the week has been filled with behind-the-scenes brokering to get a wage-hike vote before Congress leaves town.  On Tuesday night , LaTourette and LoBiondo presented Majority Leader Boehner with a letter signed by 48 House Republicans demanding a vote this week.  The letter was very significant, LaTourette said, because it included 20 more Republican signatures than a similar letter given to Boehner on July 13.  LaTourette said he and LoBiondo were able to pick up signatures from veteran and conservative Republican lawmakers, including Ohio’s Paul Gillmor, Dave Hobson and Pat Tiberi.  LaTourette said 64 House Republicans had supported a non-binding vote to raise the minimum wage earlier this month.

 “The question was not if, but when,” LaTourette said.