WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Senator Tom Udall issued the following statement after Republicans filibustered a measure he supported to gradually increase the federal minimum wage to $10.10 per hour:
"Today we had the opportunity to help kickstart our economy in New Mexico and across the country by increasing the minimum wage. Yet Republicans chose obstruction over a common-sense proposal to help families get ahead.
"Our nation was founded on a basic promise that no matter who you are, if you work hard, you can get ahead. But we aren't keeping that promise when hardworking men and women have to take two or more jobs just to pay for food and rent.
"A federal minimum wage of $10.10 an hour, would bring the wage to where it would have been if it had kept up with inflation. The thousands of minimum wage workers in New Mexico - many of whom are raising families - deserve better than a filibuster. I'm going to keep working until we get it passed."
The Minimum Wage Fairness Act would gradually increase the minimum wage to $10.10 per hour over the two years following the bill's enactment, and would tie the minimum wage to the Consumer Price Index in following years. If enacted, the legislation would put over $200 million into the hands of New Mexico workers, and boost New Mexico's Gross Domestic Product by $127 million. About 147,000 New Mexicans would receive a raise, and over 35,000 would be lifted out of poverty.
Udall made his case for the bill during a speech on the Senate floor Tuesday. Video , audio and the text of his statement can be found HERE .
