[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 34 (Friday, February 28, 2014)]
[House]
[Page H2068]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       NEED TO RAISE MINIMUM WAGE

  (Mrs. BUSTOS asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute.)
  Mrs. BUSTOS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to talk about the urgent need 
to raise the minimum wage for hardworking Americans just struggling to 
get by. The cost of living has increased, but wages have not.
  In Illinois alone, more than 1 million people--a full 20 percent of 
our workforce--could benefit from an increase in the minimum wage. It 
could also lead to close to a billion-dollar economic shot in the arm 
to my State.
  Currently, my State's small businesses are at a competitive 
disadvantage because in our neighboring States of Wisconsin and Iowa, 
the minimum wage is lower than in ours. Raising the Federal minimum 
wage could help level this playing field and make small businesses in 
my region stronger.
  Increasing the minimum wage is a win-win situation for the people I 
represent and for our local economy. I believe strongly that anyone who 
works full-time should not have to live in poverty.
  Let's work together and get this done.

                          ____________________