For nine years, the Republican-controlled Congress has stonewalled hard-working Americans by blocking every proposal to raise the minimum wage. The result is unacceptable. A single mother with two children who has a full-time minimum wage job now has to survive on annual pay that's $4,500 below the poverty line.
Enough is enough. No one who works for a living should have to live in poverty. I refuse to stand by while our country's leaders ignore the plight of millions of workers -- and I'm asking you to join me.
With your signature, you can join in demanding an up-or-down vote in the United States Senate on the Fair Minimum Wage Act:
http://www.tedkennedy.com/upordownThe Act will raise the minimum wage from its current level of $5.15 to $7.25 by 2008. That's an extra $4,400 a year for these hard-working families to spend on basic necessities like food, housing and childcare.
In the nine years that Congress has refused to raise the minimum wage, the GOP leadership in Congress has seen fit to raise Members' own salaries by $30,000 a year. And it's not because Congress is working harder. The Republican leadership has scheduled fewer work days for this year's session than in any Congress since 1948. That's hardly the leadership America deserves.
With the 2006 elections in sight, it's time to see which Senators value the hard work of the 10 million Americans who earn minimum wage. Don't let the Republican Senate ignore the issue -- demand an answer now:
http://www.tedkennedy.com/upordownA clear majority of Americans supports an increase. The consensus bridges party lines and unites Americans, regardless of race or religion, around the concept of a fair wage for a hard day's work.
Yet the Republican leadership continues to dodge the issue, demonstrating an increasingly out-of-touch agenda.
Dismantling Social Security. Denying solutions to increase student aid and lower prescription drug costs. Delaying a hard-earned raise for American workers. This isn't the people's agenda. It's time for the Republican-controlled Congress to put the value of hard work ahead of its own salaries or special interests.
Show the Republican leadership that you're with me. Demand a vote on the minimum wage:
http://www.tedkennedy.com/upordownThe Republican leadership tries to pay lip service to the nation's most needy. I say, it's time to replace empty rhetoric with decisive action.
The majority of Americans want an increase in the minimum wage. Help us prove that people are watching and waiting for answers.
Tell the Senate you won't wait any longer.
Thank you for your continuing support -- it's having an impact!
Sincerely,
Senator Edward M. Kennedy
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