Posted on 01/13/2007 12:04:13 PM PST by SmithL
WASHINGTON, (AP) --
Fending off charges of favoritism, House Democrats say a just-passed minimum wage bill will be changed to cover all U.S. territories — including American Samoa — before it reaches President Bush's desk.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., told reporters she has instructed the House Education and Labor Committee to help get the bill changed to "make sure that all of the territories have to comply with the U.S. law on minimum wage."
Her remark Friday followed accusations from Republicans a day earlier that American Samoa, which is not now covered by the $5.15 an hour federal minimum wage, was not included in the law raising the federal pay floor to $7.25 an hour because StarKist has a large cannery in the island chain. StarKist is owned by Del Monte Foods Co., which has its headquarters in San Francisco, Pelosi's district.
"Something is indeed fishy when the federal minimum wage is good for all Americans as espoused by the Democrat majority, yet we exempt a small, in many terms economically struggling island," Rep. Patrick McHenry, R-N.C., told colleagues on the House floor last week.
(Excerpt) Read more at sfgate.com ...
If Pres. Bush were really a conservative he'd veto every single bill the Queen of the Moonbats extrudes in her interminable 100 Hours Of Tortured Drivel.
"In a statement in response today, Faleomavaega (American Samoa delegate) said "despite recent claims made by the Washington Post which suggest that American Samoa is exempt from the federal minimum wage process, I wish to set the record straight." He says since 1956, the Wage and Hour Division of the US Department of Labor has conducted Special Industry Committees every two years in American Samoa to determine minimum wage increases.
"While these Industry Committees have been phased out in other US Territories due to their more diversified economies, American Samoa continues to be a single industry economy. In fact, more than 80% of our private sector economy is dependent either directly, or indirectly, on two U.S. tuna processors, Chicken of the Sea and StarKist. As has been repeatedly stated at our Special Industry Committees, a decrease in production or departure of one or both of the two canneries in American Samoa could devastate the local economy resulting in massive layoffs and insurmountable financial difficulties," the Congressman says.
"For this very reason, I do not support efforts to apply mainland minimums to American Samoa at this time. The truth is the global tuna industry is so competitive that it is no longer possible for the federal government to demand mainland minimum wage rates for American Samoa without causing the collapse of our economy and making us welfare wards of the federal government."
OBVIOUSLY, this man knows nothing of economics..nanny pelosi said a raise in the minimum wage would produce "trickle-up" wealth for everyone and is good for the economy..
The funds are merely being gifted to a special class of citizens.
If Bush signs this tax increase, it must be because he is for raising taxes, right?
I was on it before this story came out. Click below. And, just how does Pelosi think she has a right to return to committee a bill that has already passed the House?
Congressman Billybob
I think I'm going to let my tagline do the talking.
I wonder whether the guy from Samoa quoted above understands that the economic factors of competitiveness he cites actually apply in every other district, too.
Naaah. I've met a lot of Samoans, and they're sweet people, but -- how shall I put this? -- not going to be anyone's first call for rocket surgery.
d.o.l.
Criminal Number 18F
The increase in minimum wage will mean fewer part time entry jobs for teenagers so I expect that by this time next year the Democrats will be rolling out a Youth Employment Act to help all those teenagers get part time jobs.
Sadly, the Republicans are taking the "everyone equally miserable" approach to government the dems have alway employed.
Third parties are useless but we sure could use one now as the Dems and GOPs meld into each other.
Bush veto this bill.
Raising the federal minimum wage would devastate the local tuna industry, Faleomavaega said in a statement last week, noting that American Samoa's economy is "more than 80 percent" dependent on two U.S. tuna processors, Chicken of the Sea and StarKist. Faleomavaega said the Labor Department reviews Samoa's minimum wages every two years.
Based on the last two paragraphs - it sounds like the dems are NOT planning to raise the wage in Samoa!
they want it both ways...protect their patrons and justify their corruption
"Sadly, the Republicans are taking the "everyone equally miserable" approach to government"
The tuna industry should no more be allowed to seriously underpay their workers than any other American industry. That said, we are willing enough to destroy Afghanistan's opium-dependent economy to placate drug warriors. At least it's consistent.
Just a thought: Does this bill do anything about employers (like Nancy Pelosi) who hire illegal aliens to circumvent the minimum wage law?
I'm sure you're right - and that they think they can get away with it - but more people are watching government these days :-)
in other word, more excuses for illegal immigration... I mean, we get blamed for being expensive yet we have no other choices...??
wow, the only ones getting a real increase for doing nothing are our congress people who obviously are not doing the job for the money or any money at all you can pour down their swine throats.
Crack that whip!
I agree, but until the rest of American industry is allowed to partake of that nectar, Sunkist should remain thirsty also.
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