Clinton Asks Congress to Raise Minimum Wage
Dateline: 03/08/00
Update:
03/10/00 House Passes Wage Increase Bill
But, an attached GOP-backed tax cut bill may result in a presidential
veto.
President Clinton today asked Congress to pass legislation to increase the minimum wage by $1 -- from $5.15 to $6.15 per hour -- in two equal steps over the next two years.
"It is time to stop nickel-and-diming the American working people out of the money that they need and deserve!'' the president told a gathering at the White House.
The bill to increase the minimum wage could be considered in the House as early as Thursday. However, Republicans may move to combine the minimum wage bill with the $46 billion tax cut bill which President Clinton has repeatedly promised to veto.
According to the White House, raising the minimum wage to $6.15 would simply restore the value of it to what it was in 1982. The last increase went into effect in 1996.
The president also suggested that a higher wage would allow many people at lower income levels to participate in the currently strong American economy and encourage the unemployed into finding jobs.
"Increase the reward for work and people who weren't looking for jobs decide to look and go to work," said the president.
Bullet points from President Clinton's statement on raising the minimum wage:
- Would benefit more than 10 million, mostly adult American workers
- Would help hard-pressed families pay for groceries, rent and other necessities
- Would restore the real value of the minimum wage to what it was in 1982
- Economic studies have found no negative impact on employment and can even increase employment
- Will ensure that all workers can participate in the growing economy
- Past increases have helped reduce welfare caseloads
- Will help ensure that parents can raise their children out of welfare
Reference Resources
President Clinton's Full Statement
Full text of the president's remarks on raising the minimum wage.H.R. 3833 - Minimum Wage Increase
Summary and text of the bill from Thomas Legislative Information.Track the Progress of H.R. 3833
Keep up with the progress of this bill here. From your About.com Guide.
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