Senate Democrats block wage, tax bill
Excerpt:
“They (Republicans) can get 6.6 million Americans an increase in their basic minimum wage as long as we promised that the fattest of cats in America would get a great big bowl of tax cuts,” said Sen. Richard Durbin of Illinois, the second-ranking Democrat in the Senate.
Organized labor blasted the Republican maneuvering and called on Congress to approve a stand-alone minimum wage increase to help keep some low-paid workers out of poverty.
A Primer on the Federal Minimum Wage – NPR
Since the last federal increase in September 1997, from $4.75 to $5.15, the purchasing power of the minimum wage — after accounting for inflation — has deteriorated by 20 percent. Adjusted for inflation, the value of the minimum wage is at its lowest since 1955.
The Estate Tax and Extension of Tax Relief Act of 2006, H.R. 5970, which passed the House on July 29, raises the minimum wage for most employees. But for many employees in seven states, H.R. 5970 means a wage cut. Section 402 of the bill strikes down state laws that require employers to pay a full minimum wage without relying on tips from customers to reach the minimum level. States that have those laws will see the minimum wage for tipped employees fall as much as $5.50 per hour.
House GOP slates minimum wage vote
. . . The wage would increase from $5.15 to $7.25 per hour, phased in over the next two years, the aide said.
The maneuver is aimed at defusing the wage hike as a campaign issue for Democrats while using its popularity to spur enactment of the Republican Party’s long-sought goal of permanently cutting taxes on millionaires’ estates. . . .
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So, the Congress gives itself pay increases regularly, no strings attached. But to get the minimum wage workers any improvement, we have to agree to roll back the federal estate tax!?!?
Lawmakers fear being pounded with 30-second campaign ads over the August recess that would tie Congress’ upcoming $3,300 pay increase with Republicans’ refusal to raise the minimum wage.
You think?
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