Posted on 01/25/2007 6:54:17 AM PST by zendari
WASHINGTON, Jan 24 (Reuters) - U.S. Senate Republicans on Wednesday blocked a Democratic bill to increase the federal minimum wage for the first time in a decade, demanding it first include small-business tax relief.
Democrats fell short of the 60 needed to end debate and go to passage of the House-passed measure, which would raise the minimum wage to $7.25 per hour from $5.15 per hour over two years.
Republicans demanded tax breaks be added to the legislation to help small business cover the proposed pay hike for millions of America's lowest paid workers. Senate Democratic leaders have indicated they would be willing to go along with some sort of tax relief if necessary to win approval.
"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus
It's funny, the dems are in control but it was the republicans who blocked it.
Senator Webb voted against requiring tax breaks. I'm certain that in one of the debates, he said he supported tax breaks as part of the minimum wage bill, but I can't find the transcript with that in it now.
Well this brightens my day. I know we conservatives are going through a rough period, but I think the childishness and incompetence of the San fransisco-led DemocRATs will bring another 4 years of republican rule to the White House, when Americans see how petty and worthless these Dem children act.
I hope they will do the same when Bush's sought amnesty bill arrives.
It's a heck of a lot easier to be the minority in the Senate. It's one reason McCain doesn't tick me off as much as he does other freepers.
I wish I woulda been seeing it live!
The Marxist's installed 60-40 rule has turned around and bit them on the ass I see.
They have 49 seats, which is the largest number of seats one can have while still being said to be in the minority. And then there's Joe Lieberman . . .
Everyone mocked Lott when he was given a higher post....the guys knows tactics and obviously is willing to use them...kudos.
Watching to see what kind of new "rules" dingy harry pushes through to overcome any kind of opposition from the republicans.
Of course if the tables were turned, Reuters would be saying the Majority Repubs blocked minimum wage by refuseing to accept the reasonable amendments offered by the Dem minority.
Let's not forget about that little, American Samoa exemption. Which I hear was never really removed.
What goes around comes around.
I am NOT a fan of corporate welfare (in fact I think it should be illegal). But in this case it makes sense.
I disagree with this tactic but I will agree with the merit of why it was done. I am not for this wage mandate but I see this tactic as the same thing that Democrats did for many years.
I would offer that the American people need to see for themselves what the Democrat policies will cause. Telling them is not working, they just aren't listening.
Yes it will be harmful, yes it will be painful, yes bad things will result from allowing the Democrats to push thru their agenda. I believe this happening is the only thing that will wake the American people up.
I say the right should not block anything, vote for cloture and vote against their foolishness. Then, in the 08 campaign they can go to the voters and say they did not act like Democrats blocking everything and they simply did the job they were sent to do. Cast votes.
We should not hold the Democrat's hands and we should not save them from themselves, after all that is their game not ours. We will just be portrayed as the problem as has been done in the past.
Let's show one of the most core conservative value and assign some personal responsibility to the Democrats. Let them screw this nation up badly so people can see we have been telling them the truth that this will result if they have their way.
Some will say this a stand down attitude but I would disagree with that characterization. I would offer that it is actually a stark change in the politics of this nation and a bold move to restore the Republic we live under. Good principles will win elections when they are demonstrated rather than talked about.
He has been quoted saying "he would like to see Congress enact similar legislation on a national level, but was skeptical whether this could be accomplished".
Voters beware.
sw
Yeah. I've been wondering about that myself. Anybody got a link to something definitive?
Maybe this is something that will be "taken care of" by the conference committee and they'll shove it in under the table.
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