Washington, D.C. – Congressman Michael C. Burgess, M.D. (R-TX) put out the below statement following President Biden’s latest executive order raising the minimum wage to $15 per hour for federal contractors.
"Executive orders are meant to be used rarely and only when absolutely necessary," said Burgess. "This latest order does more virtue signaling than putting forward an actual solution."
"Our economy is in the process of rebounding from being completely stopped due to the 2019 novel Coronavirus. We must be careful that we do not cause a significant rise in inflation and end up throwing gasoline on a fire. The best protection for someone at the lower end of the wage scale is to have a vibrant and growing economy. We saw this during the Trump Administration when Americans’ median income grew nearly 7 percent in 2019, the fastest rate in over 50 years.
"Further, this is an issue that must be debated within the halls of Congress and better yet within our state legislatures. Nearly half of the country is considering raising minimum wages. Many of those states will either reach or surpass $15 an hour. The needs and living expenses for someone in Denton, Texas are far different than those in New York, New York. The federal government must not usurp the authority and wisdom of state and local governments.
"Instead of signing a messaging executive order, President Biden should be looking at real world evidence and see how companies like Walmart, Target, Disney, and Costco are already increasing wages for their entire workforce. Instead of dictating how businesses should act, the government should be putting forward policies that will encourage greater prosperity for all Americans."
