DawgTalkers.net Forums DawgTalk Tailgate Forum House passes minimum wage increase

The Democratic-controlled House voted Wednesday to increase the federal minimum wage to $7.25 an hour, bringing America's lowest-paid workers a crucial step closer to their first raise in a decade.

The vote was 315-116, with more than 80 Republicans joining Democrats to pass it.

"You should not be relegated to poverty if you work hard and play by the rules," said House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (news, bio, voting record), D-Md.

The bill was the second measure passed since Democrats took control of the House, ending more than a decade of Republican rule.

The measure, which now goes to the Senate, would raise the federal wage floor by $2.10 from its current $5.15 an hour in three steps over 26 months.

The Senate is expected to move quickly — perhaps in the next few weeks — on a similar bill. Business groups and some Republican lawmakers, however, hope they will be able to get some business-friendly provisions into the Senate package.

The last increase was in 1997, when President Clinton successfully prodded the GOP-controlled Congress to enact the increase. Republicans declined to approve another raise for the six years in which they held majorities in the House and Senate and President Bush was in the White House.

Organized labor and other supporters pitched the bill as badly needed assistance for the working poor.

Business groups and other critics said it could lead to higher prices for goods and services, force small companies to pink-slip existing workers or hire fewer new ones, and crimp profits.

The White House issued a statement saying it opposed the bill because it "fails to provide relief to small businesses."

Senate Democratic leaders have already signaled they will accept changes designed to shield small businesses from adverse consequences of higher labor costs.

"This bill increases costs for mom-and-pop businesses," said Steve Chabot (news, bio, voting record), R-Ohio, contending the legislation doesn't do anything to help offset that burden.

Many businesses want the pot sweetened, perhaps by faster depreciation or other tax breaks or letting small businesses band together to buy health insurance for their workers.

"In America we can either have maximum opportunity or we can have minimum wages. We cannot have both," said Rep. Jeb Hensarling (news, bio, voting record), R-Texas.

The bill would raise the wage floor in three steps. It would go to $5.85 an hour 60 days after signed into law by the president, to $6.55 a year later and to $7.25 a year after that.

"For 10 years the lowest-paid Americans have been frozen out. They have been working at a federal poverty wage, not a federal minimum wage," said Rep. George Miller (news, bio, voting record), D-Calif., author of the legislation.

Bush has said he supports a wage boost paired with "targeted tax and regulatory relief" to help businesses — which would have to pay for the higher labor costs — stay competitive.

The Labor Department says 479,000 workers paid by the hour earned exactly $5.15 in 2005, the most recent estimate available.

The federal minimum wage is like a national wage floor, though some people can be paid less under certain circumstances. States can set minimum wages above the federal level; more than two dozen states plus the District of Columbia do.

People who are paid the minimum wage tend to be young — under age 25 — never married, more likely to be women, minorities and part-timers, according to a recent analysis of 2005 data by the Labor Department.

If the federal wage does rise in 26 months to $7.25 an hour, about 5.6 million people — 4 percent of the work force — who make less than that would be directly affected, according to the Economic Policy Institute, a liberal leaning group. The group estimates that an additional 7.4 million workers would benefit indirectly as raising the floor would ripple through the work force.

Recent attempts to boost the federal minimum wage had failed when Republicans had control of Congress. But prospects changed after the Nov. 7 midterm elections put Democrats in charge in both the House and Senate.


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Aw, come on Dubya...putting more money in people's pockets stimulates the economy, remember? <img src="/images/graemlins/rofl.gif" alt="" />

You do realize it raises prices as well... It's obvious you hate and have a one sided opinion, and selective memory on things pertaining to President Bush, but do yourself a favor and do a little research on Economics 101... Your comment makes you seem unintelligent and silly...

I was thinking the same thing.

We'll see how great people think it is when they're paying 8 bucks for an extra value meal.

Actually I think it is good news. The Senate and Bush will eventually pass it thru and the entry level workers and the under employed will be a little better off.
Heck! Who knows maybe they may pay some income tax or get less of Earned Income Tax Credits?

Little harm is done as the big business enterprises will adjust within 3-6 months as they raise their prices appropriately. Small business will do what they always do...keep the best and can the less productive workers..it is actually good for small business 'cause now they can blame Uncle Sam for having to fire the dead weight.

Oh and let's not forget the union people all get their contract bumps whenever the minimum wage is increased and the Congressmen/women all rush to the TV cameras to claim that they have earned a major victory for the American worker.

Within 2 years we are all back to where we were before...but it sure seems like it helped!

How many people who actually have jobs make minimum wage or for that matter start off making minimum wage right off the bat... I don't know of anyone in this position who have a real bills to pay...

The only thing this does is give some kids a few more bucks in their pocket, who are already living off of mommy and daddys wealth... It doesn't help the average worker... All it does is help the already lazy youth of this country...

Your wrong about your union people comment as well... I know more then a few that this doesn't effect at all, not sure where you came up with your statement but it's dead wrong...

Entirely aware of that.

And I have no problem with small businesses doing so. Unfortunately, you're going to see the big kahunas doing it as well.

What I said was more or less a shot on Bush's double standards...he's for small business, but not for the small man?

I know you hate Bush... Now tell me how Subway is a small business they just raised there prices due to minimum wage... this doesn't just affect small business it affects anyone who hires the kids who do these jobs...

Please tell me how you consider Subway small business or you going to ignore this as well...

They're not. They're one of the big kahunas I mentioned.



Therein lies the problem.

most people who have minimum wage jobs are in A highschool or B college paying student loans... and what happens when they get that money... they SPEND IT which adds to the economy

or they don't spend it and ruin the economy u one sided thinker!

if they don't spend it... later on in there life they will basically so it eventually all goes back...

i know i would save it l, so really i shouldn't be talking.

It's not a problem it's Economics 101... Sorry your hate glasses don't see it but raising the minimum wage does nothing to help anyone... Except the kids who take those jobs... Not hard to figure...

Oh please I doubt this countries economy is really yearning for the "kids" money... Wait a few years until the income really matters right now those people are in "stop gap" jobs...

the only time u should talk is when you type like this everything is spelled right!

couple grammar mistakes the 1st post i had was better

Got get 'em, Jaft!!

<img src="/images/graemlins/thumbsup.gif" alt="" />

Back when the tax cuts came, didn't Economics 101 say that the more money the people had the better off the economy would be?



It helps the guy who's making $5.15 an hour trying to pay his bills. I know your 'hate glasses' (seriously, man... <img src="/images/graemlins/rolleyes1.gif" alt="" />) prevent you from seeing that those people exist, but...

Also, beyond that point...I don't care if you're a high school kid or not...no one - NO ONE - should have to put in more than an hour's wage in order to buy lunch.

<img src="/images/graemlins/rofl.gif" alt="" /> Yeah this country is loaded with people who make the minimum wage... <img src="/images/graemlins/rolleyes1.gif" alt="" /> I guarantee you your not a minimum wage employee and I would guess you would never take a job making that coin... FYI no one making 5.15, 6.15, 7.15, 8.15, or even 9.15 dollars can make it on their own, and if their making 10 or above their just getting by...

Your comments are sad, and like I already stated you don't understand Economics, at all...

What's your point Jaft? It's already going up to $6.85 an hour in Ohio? It was already passed. The voters of Ohio disagreed with you. My daughter manages a Speedway. She has three divorced mom's working at her station.

I'm thrilled they'll be making a little more money. The more they make,the less they draw in government assistance.

They're going to get it one way or the other Jaft. Would you rather their job pay them,or your taxes? It's one or the other ya know?
<img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Psydeffect, you're worried about a damn extra value meal, typical thinking, let's save the "fat food" and keep gaining unhealthy weight and let's keep the poor; poor!

Phil, the problem is, hardly anyone making minumum actually pays any bills. The vast, vast majority are teens.

I saw somewhere in this chat site that the Dept. of Labor has 479,000 people making min. wage. That ain't very many, vern.


And further, the adults that are working for min. wage are either just starting, or have such limited skills that they will be making min. the rest of their lives.

Whatever - let's help the unskilled make more, and at the same time, ding the rich for more taxes. After all, if you have it, someone else wants to spend it, right?

LMAO... Kids still live at home so there is really no need for them to by lunch, hell most get a free roof, car, lodging and college nowadays, who cares about a simple lunch... If need be, they can brown bag it like alot of non minimum wage, blue collar folks do...

Are you serious?

Just about every service position you see pays that. The guy who makes your food, the guy who rings up your coffee, the guy who hands you your dry cleaning...and you're telling me that all these people you interact with are high school kids being supported by their parents?

And you're telling me I don't understand economics? <img src="/images/graemlins/rofl.gif" alt="" />

More than $5.15? Or less than $6.85?

Since minimum wage is being increased to $6.85 an hour in Ohio,why don't we look at how many people that effects?

Shut up old man... I was waiting for you to chime in and you didn't disappoint... <img src="/images/graemlins/rofl.gif" alt="" />

I know we don't see eye to eye on this but it still doesn't change my mind... The minimum wage doesn't matter...

Love ya bro... <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Most... I never said all...

That's called an example <img src="/images/graemlins/rofl.gif" alt="" />

How would you feel about an age-based minimum wage scale? (I'm not saying I'm for it or against it...just a discussion point...)

I love ya too man.
<img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

But I've seen it too many times. And these working mother's I know are making $6.50. So they'll only be getting .35 but every little bit helps. And with a built in increase over two years,at least inflation won't eat them up in the next two years.

If a quarter pounder goes up a quarter,so what? McD's sucks and too many people eat that slop as it is. Besides,car insurance,gas and movie prices have went up. It's attitudes like yours that have kids strung out on video games cause they can't afford to go anywhere.
<img src="/images/graemlins/rofl.gif" alt="" />

Pitt, you are the voice of reason! <img src="/images/graemlins/thumbsup.gif" alt="" />

I don't know anything about economics. I do think it is long overdue. The fact, that Bush even supported the concept of a raise, proves in my eyes it was overdue. He wanted more protection for small business. Well, If the small business is thriving, they shouldn't be effected by the raise. They should already be paying their workers a liveable wage. If they can't afford too pay, than they need too find a new profession. If my double cheeseburger is pulled form the $1 menu, I will miss them, but just maybe some of the working poor, will be able too buy more cheap goods from the Republic of China, at their local Walmart. It is a good deal for importers, or does that not fly with economic 212.

ABTW, Congrats too the less fortunate of America, who work minimum wage jobs, for a long overdue, and deserved raise. Thanks for doing the jobs, that most won't due, but enjoy the value in the product and services you provide.

I am a Republican for the most part....but I have no problem with this except I think it should be for more money for adult workers....I think people like HS students should be allowed to work at lesser rates.

I would have somehow stepped it up by age and hours worked.....especially age..16-18 make this....18-20 make that....21 you make full amount and make it around $10 per hour for full-time adult workers.....how the hell do you live on less than $400 per week?? I don't make quite that much a day, but close, and I know many people who do...and even way more. Skilled job or not, I am willing to pay more so others can pay their bills because in the long run, I will be better off and so will they.

I don't see how paying a 17 year old kid working 25 hours a week at McDonalds more money helps anything other than inflate prices of common goods but to maintain our standard of living in this country, people need to be paid a wage that allows them to meet some ends.

People want to end illegal aliens....but nobody wants to pay people other than what illegals will take to work here.


Time to pay up.

Please... My attitude has nothing to do with the youth of today... When you where a kid did your dad or mom buy you a new car, take care of your college? No... we grew up in a different time my friend and today's youth doesn't really understand the value of money...

I know your daughters situation but she compliments her mans income, I don't mean that wrong, but we both know that if you ain't making at least 12 bucks an hour your going to struggle...

Time out.....I like McDonalds. My brother owned 3 and I was an investor in each. I made a good deal of money from McDonalds..both stock and when he sold.

McDonalds provides a service and goods.....you could eat hamburgers and frys every day at home and have the same health risk...McDonalds doesn't want some to eat there every day of the week...they want everyone to eat there once a week.....once a week isn't going to hurt you.

Pitiful example, <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Your approach makes the most common sense of anything
I've heard Peen. It's very compassionate from the standpoints of household adults trying to raise a family,yet has some common sense restrictions based on age and your job status FT/PT. Very responsible thoughts there Peen!

<img src="/images/graemlins/thumbsup.gif" alt="" />

Maybe you don't understand Jaft? She has an associates degree and manages a big Speedway. She makes over 40k!
<img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

I was talking about some of the girls that work for her.

I'll second that, good point.... <img src="/images/graemlins/thumbsup.gif" alt="" />

OK, when Pablo Sanchez gets a raise from 5.75 (or whatever it was) to now 7.25 it causes the middle man to get laid off. Pablo may be able to buy a Toyota SE instead of a plain Toyota but it causes more expenses to be incurred in the company. With the new minimum wage increase it will cost Walmart over a few billion dollars. They can't lay off expendable, incompetant Walmart cashiers but they can take out the accountants and corporate office workers. This is just one example of what will happen. This also causes inflation rates to dramatically increase making our dollar fall victim to the mighty Euro once again.

Who usually is an adult and makes minimum wage? Usually mexicans who come to this country. Yay... another incentive for Mexicans to come to this country because they get a raise that upper and middle class people pay for. <img src="/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" />