June 20, 2006
Mr. President, let me begin again by thanking my colleague from Massachusetts and others who have fought so long and hard over the last decade to have an increase in the minimum wage in our country, from the $5.15 that was adopted about a decade ago to the suggestion today that we raise this some $2.10. I know $2.10 may -- apparently it's quite a bit of money to many of my colleagues here. To many, of course, it's nothing more than a cup of coffee at a high-priced coffee shop today or a few sodas or a sandwich along the way, but it makes a difference, Mr. President, that $2.10 increase after a decade in the minimum wage will add some $4,400 to the incomes of people who are -- who are depending upon the minimum wage to provide for themselves and their families.