June 21, 2006
Republican Leadership Defying Will of Public, Congress by Preventing Increase of Minimum Wage
A BUZZFLASH NEWS ANALYSIS
After a surge in efforts in the House and Senate to increase minimum wage from its lowest level in 50 years, the Republican leadership is doing everything they can to keep American workers from earning fair and reasonable salaries.
Congress has given itself an annual raise of almost $35,000 since 1997, but has not increased minimum wage by one cent despite inflation. The leading Democratic proposal would raise minimum wage from $5.15 to $7.25 in three increments over two years.
About 83% of the public supports this boost, including 72% of Republicans, according to an April survey by the Pew Research Center.
Last week in the House Appropriations Committee, seven Republicans helped to create a 32-27 majority in favor of creating this modest increase in an amendment to an annual appropriations bill. Instead of scheduling an “up or down vote” in the full House, Republican leaders are “cutting and running” from voting on the entire appropriations bill until after the upcoming elections to make sure representatives are not swayed by their constituents to support the increase.
In the Senate today, a 52-46 vote in favor of a similar amendment was not enough to overcome GOP procedural maneuvering to require 60 votes for approval. Republican Leader Bill Frist even tried to attach abortion restrictions to the minimum wage proposal to prevent a fair decision by his colleagues.
Sen. Ted Kennedy, the amendment’s sponsor, released a statement promising future action: “This battle will continue all across America until at long last justice is done. It’s time for the Republican leadership to stop its obstruction and get out of the way.”
Kennedy also said that “when Democrats take control (in November).... One of the first acts of legislation will be a freestanding minimum wage bill.”
While a growing number of rank-and-file Republicans in Congress and millions of Americans are becoming more supportive of an increase every day, the Republican leadership is intent on abusing their power to override dissent and to appease their richest contributors.
A BUZZFLASH NEWS ANALYSIS