WASHINGTON - July 29 -
"A majority of Americans and a majority of lawmakers in Washington say they support a minimum wage increase. Unfortunately, Republican leaders in Congress are using gimmicks and stall tactics to deny our lowest wage earners a needed raise.

"Republican leaders must stop their gimmicks and allow a clean vote to increase the minimum wage to $7.25 without harmful amendments and unrealistic demands that will only hurt minimum wage earners more.

"For the past decade, the minimum wage has remained stagnant at $5.15 an hour while prices at the supermarket and the gas pump have steadily increased, utility costs have soared, and politicians in Washington gave themselves eight pay raises.

"The value of the minimum wage has fallen so low that it now takes a minimum wage earner a day and a half's pay just to fill up their gas tank to get to work for the week. That's more than a week's less pay for groceries, rent, health care, child care, and other necessary expenses each month.

"It's time for Congress to stand up for hardworking Americans struggling to make ends meet on the minimum wage. We urge lawmakers to approve a minimum wage increase before Election Day when millions of workers will be casting their votes."

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