Gotta love them Republicans.  The minimum wage (despite the cost of living) hasn't seen a single increase since 1997.  Since 1997, senate salaries have been raised seven times.  So when Senator Edward Kennedy put forth a proposal to raise the minimum wage from $5.15 to $6.25 per hour, what do you suppose happened?

The measure was defeated in the Senate--49 for, 51 against.  In the for-column, 45 Democrats and 4 Republicans.  In the against-column, 51 Republicans.

Bastards.

From Rich Senators Defeat Minimum-Wage Hike (WESH Channel 2 News):

...Statements by President George W. Bush since the Gulf Coast hurricane disasters indicate he has a new awareness of the plight of the poor in this country. Katrina and the devastation of New Orleans have made the more affluent realize the hardships suffered by poor families.

When asked about the Kennedy measure, White House press secretary Scott McClellan said Bush "believes that we should look at having a reasonable increase in the minimum wage ... But we need to make sure that, as we do that, that it is not a step that hurts small business or prices people out of the job market."

Bush has not weighed in with his own proposal for a pay hike.

The Senate's action comes at a worrisome time when motorists are paying much more for gasoline and heating bills are expected to rise by 56 percent this winter, according to Kennedy.

As a result, families will have to tighten their belts to pay for the basic necessities.

"It is shameful that in America today, the richest and most powerful nation on earth, nearly a fifth of all children go to bed hungry at night because their parents, many of whom are working full time at the minimum wage, still can't make ends meet," Kennedy said...