The Do-Nothing Congress Daily Register: GOP Refuses To Raise The Minimum Wage
Washington, DC - The Republican-led Congress is set to go home in four business days, leaving a number of important legislative priorities undone and a host of issues unresolved. After 12 years of Republican Congressional rule, the GOP puts politics ahead of what's good for America and are ineffective at dealing with the problems that American families face. It is no wonder that Americans are fed up with Republican leadership in Congress and now favor Democratic control. The latest CBS News/New York Times poll found that two-thirds of Americans "said Congress had accomplished less than it typically does in a two-year session; most said they could not name a single major piece of legislation that cleared this Congress. Just 25 percent said they approved of the way Congress was doing its job." [New York Times, 9/21/06]
The Democratic National Committee will highlight these legislative failures every day until Congress recesses.
The Republican-controlled Congress has repeatedly blocked efforts to raise the minimum wage, which has not been increased since 1997. As it stands now, the value of the minimum wage is at its lowest level since 1955. During the same period, Republicans have increased their own salaries by $30,000.
Jack Kingston (R-GA): "We Have Not Accomplished What We Need To Accomplish." "'It is disappointing where we are, and I think Republicans need to be upfront about this,' said Representative Jack Kingston, Republican of Georgia and a member of the House leadership. 'We have not accomplished what we need to accomplish.'" [New York Times, 9/25/06]
Senate GOP Blocked Minimum Wage Vote For 9th Time; Congressional Pay Up $30,000 During Same Period. "The Republican-controlled Senate smothered a proposed election-year increase in the minimum wage Wednesday, rejecting Democratic claims it was past time to boost the $5.15 hourly pay floor that has been in effect for nearly a decade. ... The Senate vote marked the ninth time since 1997 that Democrats there have proposed -- and Republicans have blocked -- an increase in the minimum wage. ... Kennedy also said lawmakers' annual pay has risen by roughly $30,000 since the last increase in the minimum wage." [AP, 6/22/06]
House GOP Linked Minimum Wage Hike To Estate Tax Elimination For Multimillionaires. "Congress would pass an increase in the minimum wage before leaving Washington for vacation, but only as part of a package rolling back taxes on the heirs of multimillionaires, a Senate leadership aide said Friday. ... 'It's outrageous the Republican Congress can't simply help poor people without doing something for their wealthy contributors,' said Rep. Tim Ryan, D-Ohio." [AP, 7/28/06]
Minimum Wage Has Lost 20 Percent Of Purchasing Power Since 1997; Value Of Minimum Wage Lowest Since 1955. "Since September 1997, the purchasing power of the minimum wage has deteriorated by 20 percent. After adjusting for inflation, the value of the minimum wage is at its lowest level since 1955. ... The minimum wage has now fallen to 31 percent -- or less than one-third -- of the average hourly wage for nonsupervisory workers of $16.59 in May. This is the lowest share in the history of this data series, which begins in 1947." [CBPP, 6/20/06]
