(Washington, DC)  --  U.S. Rep. Steven C. LaTourette (R-Concord Township), who orchestrated a move to force House Leadership to schedule a vote to raise the minimum wage, voted early this morning to raise the wage to $7.25 an hour over three years.  The measure passed by a vote of 230 to 180, with 196 Republicans and 34 Democrats supporting the wage hike.

 LaTourette said the vote means a 40 percent increase in the minimum wage, and the first increase in nearly a decade.  The wage has been $5.15 since 1997.

 “Americans shouldn’t have to work 12 hours to fill up their car or buy a couple bags of groceries,” LaTourette said.  “We have an obligation to help American workers, and I’m proud to have led the effort to secure a vote.”

 LaTourette and Congressman Frank LoBiondo (R-NJ), co-chairs of the House Republican Working Group on Labor, have been maneuvering behind the scenes for weeks to get House Leadership to commit to a vote.  They authored a letter demanding a vote this week and secured 48 Republican signatures, including moderates, conservatives and senior members.  In addition, they secured a promise from 30 Republicans to vote Wednesday night to keep the House from adjourning in August.  An emergency Republican conference was called Thursday morning, at which time 30 members gave impassioned pleas to hold a minimum wage vote this week.

 LaTourette said he pressed the case with Majority Leader John Boehner, Speaker J. Dennis Hastert and Majority Whip Roy Blunt, arguing that an increase was good policy.  A single mother working full time and earning the minimum wage makes just $10,700 a year, well below the poverty level.

 “How do you cling to $5.15 an hour in this economy?” LaTourette said.  “We kept on offense and wouldn’t give up.  I thank the Leadership, and especially Majority Leader Boehner, for allowing the House to vote to raise the minimum wage.”

 LaTourette said he hopes the Senate will approve the measure, which also includes an extension of several popular tax provisions and makes estate tax relief permanent. 

 “We have now passed a bill raising the minimum wage that has an excellent chance of being signed into law,” LaTourette said.