McDermott Releases New Study Showing Minimum Wage at Historic Low

McDermott Releases New Study Showing Minimum Wage at Historic Low
July 11, 2005

House Democrat Leader Says McDermott Study is Call to Action

(Washington, D.C.) Congressman Jim McDermott (D-WA) today released the results of a new study [PDF] conducted at his request by the independent and non-partisan Congressional Research Service that shows the minimum wage relative to poverty is at its lowest point in 47 years, nearly half a century.

McDermott is Ranking Democrat on the Human Resources Subcommittee of the House Ways and Means Committee.

"We've given raises to federal employees; we've given tax cuts to the extremely wealthy; we've given tax breaks to big oil and a host of other big industries, but we've ignored the needs and the plight of America's working poor; this study proves it and it's time to change that," McDermott said.

In releasing the study, which is attached, McDermott noted that is has been eight years since Congress last increased the minimum wage.

"It is inexcusable that today in America -- the richest and most powerful nation on earth -- nearly one fifth of all children go to bed hungry at night while their parents work full time at the minimum wage.

According to McDermott, in the past eight years Members of Congress will have raised their own pay seven times - by $28,500. In those same eight years minimum wage workers have not gotten a single raise-they continue to earn $10,700 a year.

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

"Whether you are a Democrat or a Republican, ending child poverty should be central to any domestic agenda," McDermott said. "America's future depends on its children and they depend upon us; we can't let them down."

http://www.house.gov/mcdermott/pr050712.shtml