Many Republicans look at alternative ways to improve the financial situation for Americans. The majority of the GOP members have blocked measures to raise the federal minimum wage in the Senate and the House.
Here are seven quotes on the possible solutions for the wage gaps:
1. "The goal ought to be is to get people out of entry level jobs into better jobs, better paying jobs," said Rep. Paul Ryan of Wisconsin after President Obama's proposal for a
minimum wage hike, according to Think Progress.
"That's better education and a growing economy. Those are some of the things he talked about and I don't think raising minimum wage — and history is very clear about this — doesn't actually accomplish those goals."
Urgent: Do You Think the Minimum Wage Should Be Raised?
2. "I want to see people making a lot more than $9 an hour in the United States," said Sen. Marco Rubio, according to Think Progress. "And the way you do that is through rapid economic growth where people are being paid a lot more than that."
3. Sen. Bob Corker of Tennessee was the only Republican to vote for a federal minimum wage hike in 2014, although he had reservations about the proposed measure,
according to The Hill.
"While I think the underlying policy is problematic, I think we should always debate ways to help improve the standard of living of Americans," Corker said.
4. Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, a potential 2016 candidate for president, questioned the federal government's involvement in minimum wage policies, according to The Hill.
"I'm sure, on the surface, without any conversation, without any digging into it, people say, 'Yeah, everyone's wages should be up," Bush said.
Vote Now: How Do You Feel About the Minimum Wage?
"But the federal government doing this will make it harder and harder for the first rung of the ladder to be reached, particularly for young people. Particularly for people that have less education."
5. Sen. Susan Collins of Maine has been trying to reach a compromise with Democrats.
"I have already said that I would support, and indeed proposed last year, an increase in the minimum wage, in steps, up to $9 an hour,"
Sen. Collins told The Huffington Post in 2015.
6. "When you raise the cost of something, you get less of it," House Speaker John Boehner said,
according to The Washington Times."We know from increases in the minimum wage in the past that hundreds of thousands of low-income Americans have lost their jobs."
7. "To pay for the raises, the money has to come from somewhere," noted Sen. Mike Enzi of Wyoming. "So if you like the dollar deal at your fast food, get ready for $1.50,"
reports KXAN News.
Tell Us: Should the Government Raise the Minimum Wage?
© 2025 Newsmax. All rights reserved.