Press Releases
Congressman Young Votes in Support of Raising the Minimum Wage
Washington, D.C.,
January 10, 2007
Congressman for all Alaska Don Young voted today in support of H.R. 2 the Fair Minimum Wage Act of 2007. This bill amends the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 to provide for an increase in the Federal minimum wage from $5.15 to $7.25 over the next 26 months. This is the first increase in over 10 years. This bill passed by a vote of 315 to 116. "I supported an increase in the federal minimum wage because working Americans deserve an increase in their minimum wages," said Congressman Young. "I hope that everyone understands that doomsday on both sides of the issue will not occur. I have been through three different minimum wage increases and I have not seen that much of a negative impact to our economy. I don’t believe that an increase will destroy the small business community. "I would like to consider, as a long term goal, that states set the minimum wage for the state and not the federal government. Alaska’s minimum wage is higher than the federal governments at this time and will perhaps go higher in the future. This is an issue that I think we will have to consider on a state level and not on a national level. "I disagree with the fact that we are not able to take this minimum wage issue through the process of a committee hearing and have an opportunity to amend the legislation. I do feel we should have considered the impact of rising health care costs to small businesses. I am pleased that the Senate has looked at the big picture and will include tax incentives for small businesses that will allow them to group together and purchase health insurance for their employees. Because this bill will ultimately include this necessary provision, I have voted in support of H.R. 2."
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