As promised by the new Democratic controlled House of Reps, an increase in the Federal Minimum Wage rate to $7.25/hour from the current rate of $5.15/hour (which hasn't changed in over 10 years) was passed in their first 100 hours on the job in the new Congress.

Of course, the Senate has to do the same and it's not all that clean given that the Dem's only have a 1 person majority (and that one person is not always a real 'Democrat', - I'm talking about Lieberman and I'll maybe say something in the future about him).

So the Senators not only have taken up the increase (which had been bogged down with over 100 amendments added by Repubulicans meant to 'kill' the measure), it actually had an attempt to do the opposite, to ELIMINATE entirely the minimum wage law. Yes, that's right, ELIMINATE.

So who would vote for such a measure you ask?

Take a look and see if any of these are one or both of your Senators:

(From http://bobgeiger.blogspot.com/2007/01/who-wanted-to-eli...federal-minimum.html )

* Alexander (R-TN)
* Allard (R-CO)
* Bennett (R-UT)
* Bond (R-MO)
* Brownback (R-KS)
* Bunning (R-KY)
* Burr (R-NC)
* Chambliss (R-GA)
* Coburn (R-OK)
* Cochran (R-MS)
* Cornyn (R-TX)
* Craig (R-ID)
* Crapo (R-ID)
* DeMint (R-SC)
* Ensign (R-NV)
* Enzi (R-WY)
* Graham (R-SC)
* Gregg (R-NH)
* Hagel (R-NE)
* Hatch (R-UT)
* Inhofe (R-OK)
* Isakson (R-GA)
* Kyl (R-AZ)
* Lott (R-MS)
* McCain (R-AZ)
* McConnell (R-KY)
* Sununu (R-NH)
* Thomas (R-WY)

For the record, those running for reelection in 2008 are Alexander, Bennett, Chambliss, Cochran, Cornyn, Craig, Enzi, Graham, Hagel, Inhofe, McConnell and Sununu.


This increase should be a no-brainer. Alas, it's not so easy.


If you're interested in signing a petition of support, go to

http://johnedwards.com/action/sign-petitions/minimum-wage

Cheers,

Jim