Reprinted from The Washington Times , 5am -- April 2, 1998
TOP POLITICAL STORY
Democrats doubt value of minimum-wage war
By Nancy E. Roman
THE WASHINGTON TIMES
Democrats in Congress, who scored one of their biggest political victories in pushing through an increase in the minimum wage two years ago, find themselves surprisingly divided as they gear up to do it again.
With the majority Republicans in the House and Senate united against another increase, Democrats are split over the political and economic payoffs of the issue, complicating prospects for action this year as the tight legislative calendar winds down.
"It's a low priority on its merits, and a low priority in terms of political benefit," said Rep. Gary A. Condit, California Democrat, who chairs a group of conservative Democrats known informally as the "Blue Dogs."
The Blue Dogs were asked by House Minority Leader Richard A. Gephardt of Missouri to rank the top issues facing Congress. Increasing the minimum wage was not on that list.
"I don't see what we get out of it," Mr. Condit said.
Rep. Barbara B. Kennelly, Connecticut Democrat and a supporter of another increase, noted there is little time to bring people together.
"Every day that passes makes it seem less likely," she said.
Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, Massachusetts Democrat, is leading the effort to raise the minimum wage from the current $5.15 to $6.15 per hour by 2000. Mr. Kennedy spearheaded the drive in 1996 -- over GOP leadership opposition -- that resulted in a 90-cent increase in the minimum wage over two years.
"It could happen again," he said.
On Tuesday, Mr. Kennedy advised a group of proponents of an increase in the minimum wage that its passage was "inevitable," said Jim Manley, a spokesman for Mr. Kennedy.
Mr. Kennedy is working closely with Rep. David E. Bonior, Michigan Democrat, and several other House Democrats -- mostly from urban areas.
"A bunch of men making $136,000 a year [saying] some guy shouldn't get $6 an hour is a national joke," said Rep. David R. Obey, Wisconsin Democrat.
Mr. Bonior said yesterday he still expects an increase to pass.
"If it came up for a vote, we would get a good total -- including Blue Dogs," he said.
Mr. Kennedy had planned to use the same strategy he used in 1996, relying on Democratic and liberal, pro-labor Republican votes in the face of staunch GOP leadership opposition.
But Mr. Kennedy, Mr. Bonior and Mr. Obey have run into strong opposition within their own party. Conservative Democrats echo Mr. Condit in arguing that another increase in the minimum wage is unnecessary.
That House division caused Mr. Kennedy to rethink his strategy. Sources said he wants as strong a vote as possible in the House.
On Friday, Mr. Kennedy decided not to force a Senate vote on raising the minimum wage.
Sources close to Mr. Kennedy said he backed off in part because of fierce opposition from Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott. The Mississippi Republican said he was tired of getting "beat up" on the issue.
Mr. Lott noted that the proposed increase would result in a 40 percent increase in the minimum wage since 1996.
"The majority of small businesses have been milked and shot at long enough," said a clearly annoyed Mr. Lott, speaking at a press conference featuring small-business owners who told of having to lay off workers.
Democrats have been quick to remind the GOP that those were the same arguments they heard in 1996 from GOP leaders who vowed to block a minimum wage increase.
Later that day, Mr. Kennedy distributed a statement from the chief executive officer of Burrito Brothers Inc., telling how his fast-food chain grew and prospered in spite of a higher minimum wage.
"Since the last minimum wage passed, my company has doubled in size," said Eric Sklar, who founded the Mexican food chain in 1989.
Georgia Rep. John Linder, chairman of the National Republican Campaign Committee, said GOP leaders warned business groups they had better get to work if they wanted to avoid a repeat of 1996's vote.
"Message received," said Ralph Hellmann, director of federal government relations with the National Federation of Independent Business.
He said anti-increase forces will launch a massive mailing to small businesses over Congress' Easter break.
Rep. Jennifer Dunn, Washington Republican, warned that she and fellow GOP members only went along with the minimum wage increase last time in exchange for tax breaks for small business.
"I would never have voted for it otherwise," she said.
Rep. Charles T. Canady, Florida Republican, said, "There is only so much you can do for entry-level jobs.
"I voted for it last time, but I'm opposed to doing it again this soon," he said.
Mr. Linder noted that even pro-labor Republicans have been quiet.
"We're not hearing from them," he said.
Mr. Obey said that if Democrats lose this battle, it will be because too many members circulate among the "social elite" in their districts and not their minimum-wage constituents.
"The average congressman is talking to a bunch of guys who wear suits," he said, adding that he once attended a fund-raiser at an art museum where "men in tuxedoes drinking champagne with strawberries lectured me on why they can't afford to pay the minimum wage."
"If it wouldn't have been impolite, I would have heaved in the champagne," he said.
Rep. Elijah E. Cummings, Maryland Democrat, said he wants to increase the minimum wage, but he conceded it is an uphill battle.
"It's going to be difficult," he said. "It's not one of those issues like child care. ... It's not one of those issues that a lot of people come out for."Copyright 1998 News World Communications, Inc.
Reprinted with permission of
The Washington Times.
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