Pelosi: GOP minimum wage bill is a sham

http://www.rawstory.com/news/2006/Pelosi_Republican_minimum_wage_bill_a_0728.html Pelosi: Republican minimum wage bill is a political sham RAW STORYPublished: Friday July 28, 2006 Print This Email This With House Republicans ready to push forward with a bill that will increase the minimum wage for the first time in a decade, House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi took to the floor to blast the measure, calling it a "political sham," RAW STORY has learned. "Mr. Speaker, the bill before us this evening is an insult to the intelligence of the American people," Pelosi said. "It is also an insult to the nearly 7 million Americans who depend on an increase in the minimum wage to live from paycheck to paycheck." "It is a political stunt," Pelosi added. "It isn't a sincere effort to give an increase in the minimum wage." Pelosi blasted Republicans for previously "boasting" that they've helped stall legislation to raise minimum wage for nine years. "Republicans boast that they have held out for nine years, keeping the minimum wage at $5.15 an hour," Pelosi continued. "That's their proud boast. Don't take it from me; it's in the public record." "So for them to come to the floor tonight to try to give the illusion that they are sincerely trying to raise the minimum wage when they know that it is dead on arrival at the United States Senate is an insult to the intelligence and hard work of the American people," said Pelosi. "We are robbing America's families who are struggling for a better future for their children in order to give a tax cut of $800 billion," Pelosi added. Meanwhile, House Majority Leader John Boehner (R-OH) called the bill "the best shot [they've] got." He predicts a "comfortable victory," the AP reports.