[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 23 (Monday, February 6, 1995)]
[House]
[Page H1220]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  SUPPORT FOR RAISING THE MINIMUM WAGE

  (Mr. WARD asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. WARD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of an increase in the 
minimum wage by 45 cents over each of the next 2 years. I spoke last 
week on this issue. However, due to new opposition and a new Republican 
proposal, I find it necessary to address the minimum wage increase 
again.
  The proposal was offered by Senator Dole to strike a deal with 
Democrats whereby we would support a capital gains tax cut in return 
for support of the increase in the minimum wage. This is ludicrous and 
it clearly demonstrates the sharp differences between the two parties.
  Mr. Speaker, the Democratic Party is not interested in making deals 
that would give a tax cut to the richest in our society. When we are 
trying to break the cycle of welfare dependency, our Republican 
colleagues are trying to ensure that the wealthy are protected from 
paying their fair share.
  The January 29 issue of the Washington Post, they state that 
``Republicans want to replace welfare with work.'' If we do not 
increase the minimum wage, we are making that even harder.
    
  

                          ____________________