July 16, 2019 - Issue: Vol. 165, No. 119 — Daily Edition116th Congress (2019 - 2020) - 1st Session

[Page H5833]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  AMERICAN WORKERS DESERVE A FAIR WAGE

  (Mr. HIGGINS of New York asked and was given permission to address 
the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. HIGGINS of New York. Mr. Speaker, this week, for the first time 
in a decade, the House will vote to increase the Federal minimum wage 
to $15 an hour. This legislation is long overdue.
  Most economists believe that our country is suffering from a crisis 
of income inequality. It is virtually impossible for a working family 
to get by, let alone get ahead, working a--or several minimum wage 
jobs.
  Instead of actually increasing wages, this President and our 
Republican colleagues have showered the wealthiest with trillions in 
tax cuts that will never have a meaningful impact on economic growth 
and opportunity.
  This Congress needs to promote the dignity of work, and that starts 
with increasing the value of that work and paying Americans a fair 
wage. And the economic security that a fair wage will provide gives 
families the opportunity to participate in the economy and not struggle 
in its shadows.
  So as a matter of basic fairness and dignity, I urge my colleagues to 
support the Raise the Wage Act.

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