[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 24 (Tuesday, February 7, 1995)]
[House]
[Page H1291]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                       INCREASE THE MINIMUM WAGE
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under the Speaker's announced policy of 
January 4, 1995, the gentleman from Texas [Mr. Gene Green] is 
recognized during morning business for 3 minutes.
  (Mr. GENE GREEN of Texas asked and was given permission to revise and 
extend his remarks.)
  Mr. GENE GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, the minimum wage was increased 
4 years ago. However, the purchasing power of that same $4.25 has 
declined 40 percent due to inflation. A recent study shows that in 1968 
the minimum wage had a purchasing power in 1995 dollars of $6.49. There 
are arguments on both sides of this issue but allowing working 
Americans to work for a living wage is the best method to reform 
welfare.
  If a worker puts in 40 hours a week, 52 weeks a year, their gross 
wage is just over $8,800. For an average family in the 29th 
Congressional District of Texas which I represent they will be over 
$3,500 below the poverty line. Add the maximum earned income tax credit 
and that family will be $400 under the poverty line and eligible for 
welfare under many programs.
  However, this same family, with a minimum wage increase to $5.15 and 
their maximum earned income tax credit, will now be above the poverty 
level and will no longer have to be on welfare. If the Members on the 
other side wish to save on welfare, and wish people to work, increase 
the minimum wage so full-time workers will not be eligible for welfare.
  The myth that the minimum wage is only paid to teenagers does not fit 
with the fact that over half of the minimum wage earners are 26 or 
older. Congress must act and allow working Americans to earn a living 
wage.
  My Republican colleagues talk about ``me-too-ism'' from the White 
House on Republican proposals. My Republican colleagues should develop 
me-too-ism on reducing welfare by paying an increase in the minimum 
wage--me-too-ism is bipartisanship working. Let us see it work for 
working Americans.


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