    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1996, Book II)]
    [July 25, 1996]
    [Page 1201]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Statement on Senate Action on Health Care and Minimum Wage Legislation
    July 25, 1996

        I am pleased that the Senate has broken the gridlock and appointed
    conferees to deal with two of my highest priorities to help working
    families: health care and the minimum wage. I commend the leadership of
    both parties who have diligently worked to reach this point.
        The Kassebaum-Kennedy bill will allow American workers the security
    of knowing that they will not lose their health coverage if they change
    their jobs. We now have the opportunity to move forward and enact real
    health insurance reform this year.
        Raising the minimum wage for millions of America's hardest workers
    is also the right thing to do. Working parents simply cannot support a
    family on $4.25 an hour.
        I urge the conferees to take swift action on these two important
    measures before the August recess. America's working families deserve
    nothing less.