If you are a small business, let's say construction, and two options on who to hire, either a legal American that will demand proper benefits and insurance, or you have an illegal immigrant that does not require any benefits, nor do you have to take out taxes on said person. Who are you going to hire? It is very important that the US government fix this issue. I don't blame people for wanting to have a better life, so I'm blaming the companies hiring them. Personally, I do not believe that this would be a good move for the American people. Yes, the wages need to be hiked, but not such a dramatic amount at such crazy future-less time in America. I don't believe it will be passed, for it is a part of a much larger bill, which is funding health-care and educational programs. What is your say?
Seven Appropriations panel Republicans voted with Democrats to approve the wage hike, including John Sweeney and Jim Walsh of New York, Ray LaHood of Illinois, Jo Ann Emerson of Missouri and Don Sherwood of Pennsylvania.
"Now we'll see what they do with it." said Minority Leader Steny Hoyer, D-Md., who sponsored the wage hike, based on a bill by Rep. George Miller, D-Calif., to raise the wage in three increments over two years. "We're going to make a very pointed issue out of this."
When adjusted for inflation, the $5.15 per hour wage is the lowest it has been for 50 years, according to a study by Center for Economic and Policy Research, a liberal-leaning think tank.
"The minimum wage is lower than it has been at any time since 1956," said Miller, the top Democrat on the House Education and the Workforce Committee. "Congress' refusal to raise the minimum wage shows an utter disrespect for millions of Americans who work hard every day and still struggle to meet even the most basic needs."
But Republicans counter that raising the wage would provoke inflation and lead to job losses, especially for young people just entering the job market.
At $5.15 per hour, a worker who works 40 hours a week for 52 weeks a year earns $10,712 per year.
