[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 102 (Friday, July 28, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1586]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          INTRODUCTION OF THE ``FEDERAL LIVING WAGE ACT ACT''

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                         HON. LUIS V. GUTIERREZ

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, July 28, 2006

  Mr. GUTIERREZ. Mr. Speaker, today I am introducing the ``Federal 
Living Wage Act,'' legislation to mandate a livable wage for employees 
under federal contracts and subcontracts. Twenty Representatives are 
original cosponsors to this important legislation.
  I introduce this bill after the Chicago City Council took a strong 
stand for workers by passing a living wage ordinance for employees of 
big-box retailers. The ordinance is an important victory in the fight 
for living wages for all workers.
  That fight now needs to come here, to Washington, where it is long 
overdue. The bill I am introducing today will hopefully move us closer 
to delivering all workers in America a fair and equitable wage. No 
full-time worker deserves to live in poverty. And certainly, the 
federal government should not be in the business of paying federal 
workers, or federally contracted workers, sub-poverty wages.
  Although Congress passed laws, such as the Davis-Bacon Act and the 
Service Contract Act, to help ensure that employees of Federal 
contracts earn a decent wage, thousands of Federal workers and 
federally contracted workers still do not earn enough to support 
themselves and their families.
  This legislation will allow hard-working individuals to earn quality 
wages and to increase their savings for such essential needs as their 
retirement and their children's education. The Federal government must 
take responsible, workable steps to reward working Americans and to 
help keep them out of poverty. This bill represents a practical and 
tangible step toward this goal and I urge my colleagues to join me in 
calling for the passage of this important and sensible legislation.

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