[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 152 (2006), Part 11]
[House]
[Page 14780]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                  IT IS TIME TO RAISE THE MINIMUM WAGE

  (Mr. BOEHLERT asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. BOEHLERT. Mr. Speaker, the time for an increase in the minimum 
wage has not just arrived; it is long overdue. The national minimum 
wage has not been increased in 9 years. By year's end, 21 States across 
America will have a minimum wage exceeding the Federal minimum wage. 
Isn't it about time that we in Washington recognize the need to act, to 
level the playing field? Of course it is. The way things are going, we 
are not too far from the day when it will take an hour's labor just to 
pay for the gasoline to get to the job. Then, if you are like most 
people and you want to go back home after you work, it is going to take 
you another hour's wages, 2 hours just for transportation for the 
minimum-wage worker.
  What is left for the other essentials of life, to put a roof over 
your head and food on your table? Not very much.
  Mr. Speaker and my colleagues, we need to act now to increase the 
national minimum wage.

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