[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 152 (2006), Part 9]
[House]
[Page 12704]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                       MINIMUM WAGE/LIVABLE WAGE

  (Ms. SOLIS asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute.)
  Ms. SOLIS. Madam Speaker, the economic climate created by years of 
failed Republican policies is tough for many Americans to swallow. 
Millions of full-time workers in the Nation who are making the Federal 
minimum wage, $5.15, find that every other cost-of-living expense has 
gone up, from prescription drugs to housing to just about everything, 
food on our table.
  The minimum wage has not increased for 10 years. The millions of 
Americans who would benefit from that increase know that it is 
impossible to make ends meet at the current salary that has not been 
raised since 1997. For example, we are struggling with the rising costs 
of oil and other expenses.
  Madam Speaker, everyone in the country who works full time to support 
their family deserves to earn a livable wage.
  Today, Democrats will demand a vote in this House to increase the 
minimum wage from $5.15 to $7.25. It is only fair. We hope that House 
Republicans, who have been more than willing to shower giant tax breaks 
to their wealthy friends, will finally realize that no American working 
full time deserves to live in poverty.
  We hope that you will join with us today to increase the minimum 
wage.

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