[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 100 (Tuesday, July 9, 1996)]
[House]
[Page H7121]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             ONE STEP CLOSER TO INCREASING THE MINIMUM WAGE

  (Mr. GENE GREEN of Texas asked and was given permission to address 
the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. GENE GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, today millions of working 
Americans can come one step closer to earning a livable wage. The 
Senate will finally vote on increasing the minimum wage. After months 
of blocking Democratic attempts to vote on raising the minimum wage, 
the Senate Republican leaders will finally allow a vote.
  But this vote for working Americans does not come easy. As payment, 
the Senate Republicans will attempt to attach an amendment that will 
destroy this minimum wage increase. The Republican amendment would 
delay the implementation in the increase, freeze the minimum wage for 
those people who work in restaurants and also exempt millions of people 
from having any increase.
  Republicans have no real interest in helping the millions of working 
Americans because these exemptions will prevent millions of hard-
working Americans from earning a livable wage.
  American families are working harder than ever. It is tough to get by 
when working full time for minimum wage does not put enough money in 
your pocket to put bread on your table.
  I ask my colleagues in the other Chamber not to prevent these hard-
working American families from earning a livable wage. Support work, 
not welfare.

                          ____________________