[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 145 (1999), Part 18]
[House]
[Page 25812]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                              {time}  1015

                   STATE FLEXIBILITY FOR MINIMUM WAGE

  (Mr. DeMINT asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. DeMINT. Mr. Speaker, we have an exciting opportunity to give our 
States greater control over the minimum wage so they can continue to 
help those struggling to make ends meet. In 1996, we gave the States 
the responsibility to move people off of welfare and into productive 
jobs. Today, States need the freedom to tailor the best wage rates to 
fit the needs of their communities.
  Mr. Speaker, State flexibility gives security to those who need it 
and opportunity to those who want it. It allows each State to choose 
the minimum wage increase that is in the best interests of its workers 
and those struggling to find jobs. More importantly, State flexibility 
recognizes that our governors and State representatives are no less 
compassionate or committed to improving the lives of our most 
disadvantaged citizens.
  I ask my colleagues to send dollars, decisions and freedom home. Let 
us support State flexibility for the minimum wage.

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