Press Release
“Raising the minimum wage for American workers is not only the right thing to do, it is the smart thing to do for our economy as well.
“Rep. Gloria Negrette McLeod has been a valued member of our Caucus in the 113th Congress, and I know that she will continue to represent her constituents with distinction during her final months in office.
“I join in thanking Rep. Rush Holt for his fifteen years of service in the United States Congress.
"Five years ago, under the leadership of President Obama and House and Senate Democrats, Congress took action to help our economy begin to recover from the Great Recession.
“The President came to Congress and gave a State of the Union and said, look, I'm optimistic, we've come a far pace as you've just outlined very well.
"The enrollment numbers released today show that there is a clear demand for affordable, quality health care.
“Today, President Obama took an important step toward making sure that every American who works hard can earn a living wage.
“I am opposing this bill because it breaks the principle that domestic spending cuts should not pay for higher defense spending.
“I am so pleased to be here. [Congressman] Keith Ellison was introduced as someone who was there in the heat, he was there in the rain, he was there today – a little warmer right now with the sun – but we’re going to be there.
“Because of this Republican-led House’s continued inability to govern responsibly, today the United States has once more hit its self-imposed debt ceiling.