Republican Senators Elizabeth Dole and Richard Burr voted last night to block the Democratic plan to increase the federal minimum wage from $5.15 to $7.25. As part of its first 100 hours agenda, House Democrats voted to increase the federal minimum wage for the first time in more than nine years - the longest period in the history of the law. During that time, Members of Congress have received a $31,600 pay raise, while the real value of the minimum wage has plummeted to its lowest level in 51 years. [Economic Policy Institute, 6/06]

Despite the fact that nearly 13 million American workers would benefit from an increase in the minimum wage and 89 percent of Americans support its increase, including 72 percent of Republicans, Dole and Burr joined almost all Republicans in the Senate in putting their special interest friends ahead of the American people by blocking a minimum wage hike. [EPI] [Newsweek poll, 11/11/06]

"It is deeply disappointing that Senators Dole and Burr ignored the will of the American people last night by rejecting an increase in the minimum wage. Thankfully, North Carolina Democrats passed an increase that has already taken effect for our state's lowest wage-earners. Once again, Republicans are putting partisan politics ahead of the American people," said North Carolina Democratic Party Chair Jerry Meek. "As Senator Dole gets closer to 2008, Democrats will be keeping an even closer eye on her. If she continues to vote like it's 2006, it won't be pretty."