House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi hammered away at the minimum wage issue Friday, chiding Republicans into getting on board with a hike from $7.25 per hour to $10.10 an hour.
She said the move would help 25 million American workers and lift about 6 million of them from the ranks of poverty, The Hill reported. In fact, she said, the American people “deserve” nothing less than to have congressional members take quick action on the matter, The Hill reported.
“The American people deserve an economy that works for everyone, not just the wealthy and well-connected,” she said during a press call, The Hill said. “So urgent is this that I think we should come back [to Washington] before the elections.”
The Democrats are hoping the pressure will build some campaign chips for vulnerable lawmakers and seats, The Hill reported.
In the end, though, Mrs. Pelosi’s rhetoric is largely that — rhetoric. Republicans in control of the House have steadfastly opposed legislative hikes to the minimum wage, saying companies — and ultimately, consumers who do business with these firms — would be negatively impacted.
• Cheryl K. Chumley can be reached at cchumley@washingtontimes.com.
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