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Archived News Release--Caution:
information may be out of date.
For more information call: 202/219-8211.
Labor Secretary Robert B. Reich continued his effort to
debate increasing the minimum wage with House Majority Leader Richard Armey
through the enclosed letter sent today. In a speech yesterday afternoon, Reich
challenged Armey to a debate because the Majority Leader -- an economics
professor -- signaled his intention to fight an increase "with every fiber of
my being."
Following is the full text of Reich's letter to Armey:
Dear Majority Leader Armey:
Yesterday I called upon you -- as the leader of the new
majority in the House of Representatives -- to publicly debate me on the issue
of an increase in the minimum wage. I am writing to specify that request.
A spokesperson from your office stated that you declined
such a debate indicating that you were busy with other legislation. I urge a
reconsideration because the American people would benefit from an open debate
where both sides could be presented. Since I made my request to debate
yesterday, all of the major news organizations have called my office wanting to
provide a forum -- including the morning shows and Nightline.
There are millions of hard-working Americans who will go
to work today, as they do every day, and will not earn enough to keep their
families out of poverty. Most of these workers are women, most of these workers
are adults, most of these workers earn the bulk of their families' income and
all of these workers deserve a raise.
The President has proposed to make work pay by increasing
the minimum wage by $.90 over the next two years. This modest increase --
identical to the one passed in a bi-partisan manner by Congress in 1989 and
signed by former President Bush -- will help lift millions out of poverty and
will not result in job loss or dislocation.
I know that you believe that the minimum wage is bad
public policy and that you have pledged to fight any increase. I also know that
many of the arguments that are relied upon by opponents of an increase in the
wage fail to withstand a comparison with the facts. A public debate will enable
the American people to decide for themselves.
Mr. Majority Leader, I urge you to accept my invitation to
debate. The millions of Americans who rely on the minimum wage as a living wage
deserve no less.
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Sincerely, |
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Robert B. Reich |
The federal minimum wage is set at $4.25 an hour. President
Clinton has proposed raising it to $5.15 an hour in two 45-cent increases. The
Joint Economic Committee has scheduled a hearing on the issue for Wednesday,
Feb. 22. Reich will testify at the hearing.
Archived News Release--Caution:
information may be out of date.
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