Fair Minimum Wage Act of 2007

FAIR MINIMUM WAGE ACT OF 2007

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Mr. RUSH. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the chairman of the committee, Mr. Miller, for his outstanding work on our behalf.

Mr. Speaker, today is the day that the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad about it.

Today we are here to honor our promise to the American people. They have asked us and we have promised to increase the minimum wage, and we are here to deliver on that promise. I wholeheartedly rise in support of H.R. 2, to increase the minimum wage from $5.15 to $7.25 an hour. The American people deserve better.

Mr. Speaker, raising the national minimum wage is a first step in reducing the poverty rate in America. America's families have seen their real income drop by almost $1,300 since the year 2000 while the cost of health insurance, gasoline, home heating and attending college have increased by almost $5,000 a year.

As you know, the minimum wage has not been raised since 1997, and that is inexcusable and unconscionable. Mr. Speaker, the Bible tells us that our servant is worthy of his hire. Well, the American people are certainly worth more than the current $5.15 minimum wage that they are receiving.

Again, I rise in support of this outstanding legislation, and I thank the committee and thank this chairman for being a stellar, outstanding leader in bringing more income to the American household.

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