Pelosi Remarks at Press Event Announcing Effort to Force Vote on Minimum Wage Increase
Contact: Drew Hammill, 202-226-7616
Washington, D.C. – House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi, Democratic Whip Steny Hoyer, Assistant Democratic Leader James Clyburn, and Members of Congress held a press event today to announce a discharge petition on the minimum wage. Leader Pelosi and House Democratic Members were joined by business owners and advocates who called on Congress to pass H.R. 1010, the Fair Minimum Wage Act, and #RaiseTheWage to $10.10 for millions of Americans. Below are the Leader's remarks:
"On behalf of my colleagues behind me and across the aisle here, I want to thank our special guests John Cooper and Carmen Ortiz Larsen – even though she's been born since 1950 – for their very exceptional presentations today.
[Applause]
"With their professionalism, with their success, they have told us very clearly what productivity means to the success of a business, what respect to the worker means to the business, what longevity of service means to the success of a business. Carmen has also told us what not paying a decent wage means to a family. There are many other friends behind us – special guests – and we welcome all of you. Thank you for joining us.
[Applause]
"Thank you for sharing your stories with us in the course of time as well, and to all of you. We have a large number of Members of the House here. The only reason all the Democrats aren't here is because the rest of them are standing in line signing the discharge petition.
[Applause]
"George Miller said how it has always been bipartisan. Steny Hoyer, our distinguished Whip, said how urgent it was to sign the bill, and we are ready. The time is now. Congressman Tim Bishop has given us the opportunity, with his courage, to go out there and put that discharge petition in – have it ripen, enable us to sign it. Thank you very much, Tim Bishop.
[Applause]
"Mr. Clyburn has been working on this issue. He's been focused on it for such a long time, and we thank him – salute him for his leadership as well.
[Applause]
"And, in case you didn't hear Rosa DeLauro tell us – because she tells us every day, at least one time a day – over 60 percent of the people getting the minimum wage are women. And what an impact this is on women. And, when women succeed, America succeeds.
[Applause]
"So here we are: the stories of these businesses, the commitment of our Members. The future of our workers depends on us to now raise the minimum wage. All we need is a vote. President Lincoln said: ‘Public sentiment is everything.' The sentiment is there. Over 70 percent of the American people, as Steny said, Democrats, Republicans, Independents all support this.
"Just think of this: it increases wages for nearly 25 million people – a raise for nearly 25 million people. It lifts over one million people out of poverty. It empowers women because, again, more than 60 percent of people making the minimum wage are women. More money in the pockets of consumers, more demand for our small businesses, more security, progress, and prosperity for the middle class. To not have this vote is to abdicate our responsibility that we have to the middle class, the backbone of our democracy. Mr. Speaker: give us a vote.
[Applause]
"Thank you all.
[Applause]
"Because when women succeed, America succeeds."
[Applause]
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