[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 77 (Thursday, June 15, 2006)]
[House]
[Page H4013]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   EXPANDING OPPORTUNITY TO MILLIONS OF AMERICANS BY INCREASING THE 
                              MINIMUM WAGE

  (Ms. LEE asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute.)
  Ms. LEE. Mr. Speaker, next week the House will finally have an 
opportunity to lift millions of hardworking Americans out of poverty. 
For the first time in a decade, we will have a vote on the House floor 
to increase the minimum wage so that 7 million Americans can finally 
make a living wage. I think most Americans, quite frankly, would be 
stunned to hear that the House Republican leadership has refused to 
allow a vote to increase the minimum wage for over 10 years now.
  Republican inaction has led to the fact that the minimum wage is at 
its lowest level in 50 years. In fact, if the minimum wage had just 
kept up with inflation since 1968, it would have been $8.88 in 2005. 
That is still, quite frankly, a pittance for what people need to live.
  House Democrats are committed to expanding economic opportunity to 
millions of Americans who are just trying to make a living wage. They 
want to provide a better tomorrow for their families. A majority of the 
House Appropriations Committee defied Republican leadership earlier 
this week and supported an increase in the minimum wage to $7.25. That 
is only fair.
  Seven million Americans deserve a minimum wage, an increase in the 
minimum wage, so let us make sure they get it.

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