Hurricane Katrina brought our nation face to face with the stark poverty among the working poor, and spotlighted how much America needs a raise, now more than ever. There is simply no excuse for members of Congress to turn down a raise in our nation’s pitifully low minimum wage, especially when they are poised to give themselves the eighth pay raise since the last time they increased the U.S. worker’s minimum wage in 1997. Congress’ pay raises alone since the last minimum wage increase total three times a minimum wage worker’s total annual salary. To say “no” to a minimum wage raise would be outrageous and shameful.

The Kennedy Amendment to H.R. 3058 is a good one - - it would raise the federal minimum wage from $5.15 to $7.25 in three steps over two years. It would help address deeply troubling trends in our economy: wages are stagnant, prices are rising, and five million more people have become poor during President Bush’s tenure. Look at the areas hit by Hurricane Katrina. If Congress hadn’t turned down the Kennedy minimum wage increase last March, it would have raised wages for nearly half a million workers in Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama alone.

It’s time for our nation to reward work and respect workers. It’s past time for a raise in our nation’s federal minimum wage.

Contact: Lane Windham 202-637-5018