Rep. Duncan Hunter, R-Alpine, voted no on the act, as did 115 of his Republican peers, including Rep. Darrell Issa, R-Vista, and Rep. Brian Bilbray, R-Escondido. Meanwhile, Rep. Bob Filner, D-San Diego, was among the predominantly Democrat crowd who voted yes.
Hunter continues to impress with real conservative votes.
Duncan Hunter is the man. It's a shame any Republicans voted for this Nanny State garbage.
He should have stated...The local businesses have already raised their prices and passed the increase along to their customers. Those that didn't are now closed.
Any Duncan Hunter people lurking here?
FYI, MoveOn activism RE the minimum wage vote:
Dear MoveOn member,
Last week, Speaker Pelosi and the House of Representatives wrapped up their historic '100 Hours' push, passing eight key measures on the economy, health care, clean energy and democracy. And they even did it with 13 hours to spare.1
Now it's on to the Senate, where corporate lobbyists are going all-out to stop these popular reforms by attaching 'poison pill' amendments and pushing Republicans to filibuster.
The first big fight is on raising the minimum wage with a vote expected in as little as 48 hours—and the dirty tricks have already started. We need to contact our senators today, urging them to pass a "clean" minimum wage bill and resist right-wing attempts to dilute the 100 hours package.
(snip)
Most of the 100 Hours initiatives are too popular for Bush to veto. So the Republican plan is to bottle them up in the Senate by adding amendments that Democrats won't be able to support. The minimum wage vote is the first test of this "poison pill" strategy—that's why we have to draw the line here and now.
While it's not yet certain which amendments opponents will try to attach, likely options include:
* Giving Bush an unprecedented 'line item veto' over the federal budget
* Dramatically weakening overtime protection for workers
* Even reducing the minimum wage for waiters and waitresses, hotel maids and other laborers who depend on tips
It's critical that every senator hear from their constituents in the next few days, urging them to fight hard to pass a "clean" minimum wage hike and support the other 100 hours programs without poison pill amendments like these.
We always knew that electing a new Congress was only the first step toward actually making this country more just, peaceful and humane. Now, we've all got to roll up our sleeves and do the hard work of shepherding the real changes we believe in all the way to the finish line—and that begins today.
etc.