[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 58 (Wednesday, May 1, 1996)]
[House]
[Page H4372]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          URGING BIPARTISAN SUPPORT FOR MINIMUM WAGE INCREASE

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentlewoman from North Carolina [Mrs. Clayton] is recognized for 5 
minutes.
  Mrs. CLAYTON. Mr. Speaker, I rise again to urge bipartisan support 
for the minimum wage increase and there is great precedent for such an 
effort. The last time the minimum wage was raised--in 1989--135 
Republicans in the House voted for it, including Mr. Gingrich, 36 
Republicans in the Senate voted for it, including Mr. Dole, and 
President Bush signed the bill into law.
  Since that increase, according to the Center on Budget Priorities, 
``Inflation has eroded nearly all effects of this increase and the 
annual value of the minimum wage has returned to its 1989 level.''
  In other words, if we want our workers to have the same earning power 
in 1996 that they had in 1989, a modest, two-step increase in the 
minimum wage is required.
  But, the bipartisan spirit from 1989 appears to be missing in 1996, 
at least among Republican leaders.
  One Republican leader wants to abolish the minimum wage, another is 
quoted as saying that minimum wage families ``do not exist,'' and a 
third has vowed to ``commit suicide'' before voting for the minimum 
wage increase.
  Mr. Speaker, the American worker has not changed in 7 years--they 
still need a fair wage.
  What has happened to the Republican Party?
  Between 1979 and 1992 the number of working poor in America increased 
by 44 percent.
  Again, Mr. Speaker, I would not promote a policy to help the working 
poor if it was shown that such a policy would substantially hurt small 
businesses.
  According to the best evidence I have seen, a modest increase in the 
minimum wage will help the working poor, without hurting small 
businesses.
  A recent survey of employment practices in North Carolina after the 
1991 minimum wage increase, found that there was no significant drop in 
employment and no measurable increase in food prices.
  The survey also found that workers' wages actually increased by more 
than the required change.
  In another study, the State of New Jersey raised its minimum wage to 
$5.05 while Pennsylvania kept its minimum wage at $4.25.
  The researchers found that the number of low wage workers in New 
Jersey actually increased with an increase in the wage, while those in 
Pennsylvania remained the same.
  In 1991, the increase enjoyed bipartisan support, with President 
George Bush signing the bill.
  Since 1991, the minimum wage has remained constant, while the cost of 
living has risen 11 percent.
  If the Republican leadership in the House would allow a vote, I 
believe we would pass the minimum wage increase--with a bipartisan 
vote.
  It is the right thing to do; it is the fair thing to do.
  I care about small businesses, and it will not hurt small businesses.

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