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For Immediate Release: Monday, March 7, 2005

contact: Carlos Vogel 202-339-9316 cvogel@communitychange.org

Over the Past Eight Years, Members of Congress Have Raised their Own Pay Seven Times. Yet they Failed to Approve an Increase for Minimum Wage Workers

(Washington, DC) "Today’s vote on the federal minimum wage is outrageous," said Deepak Bhargava, executive director of the Center for Community Change. “No one who works for a living should have to live in poverty just because of continued shameful inaction by Congress on the minimum wage, currently set so low that our nation’s lowest paid workers can not afford adequate housing anywhere in this country."

"Over the past eight years, members of Congress have raised their own pay seven times – by $28,500. Yet they failed to approve an increase for minimum wage workers, whose salaries at $10,700 a year sit thousands of dollars below the poverty level for a family of three."

"Now because of Congress’ actions, fifteen and a half million workers won’t be able to directly or indirectly benefit from the minimum wage increase that they deserve."

"A minimum wage increase of just $7.25 an hour would have provided an additional $4,370 a year to help wage earners support their families. That’s enough for a minimum wage family to buy almost two years of child care, full tuition for a community college degree, a year and a half of heat and electricity, more than a year of groceries, and more than nine moths of rent."

"Costs are increasing all around us. Millions of families are struggling to afford childcare, healthcare and other basic needs. President Bush’s proposed budget, which drastically cuts social programs that many minimum wage earners rely on, simply underscores the urgency of a minimum wage increase that Congress shamefully didn’t pass today."

"Congress must redeem its years of shameful inaction on this issue. Inaction can no longer be tolerated."

The Actions Speak Louder campaign, led by the Center for Community Change, is an effort to hold President Bush accountable for his budget decisions and the priorities they reflect. The campaign will raise awareness, spark grassroots action and start a dialogue with people in ‘red’ states as to whether the President’s budget reflects the moral values he espouses. To see what’s at stake, visit www.ActionsSpeakLouder.org

© 2005 The Center for Community Change

1000 Wisconsin Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20007
(202) 342-0519 | info@communitychange.org