Tim Kaine comments on GOP move to block minimum wage vote

U.S. Sen. Tim Kaine released the following statement after the Senate failed to advance legislation that would raise the minimum wage.

“Today, I voted to advance legislation to raise the minimum wage to $10.10 by 2016, which could give nearly 750,000 Virginians a raise. I’m discouraged that many of my Senate colleagues chose to block a bill with such broad, bipartisan support from the American public. Raising the minimum wage is about giving hard-working people a chance at economic mobility. Millions of Americans who work full time making minimum wage and support a family live under the poverty level. This legislation would help those hard-working Americans lift themselves out of poverty and earn wages they can spend in their communities, stimulating economic activity and job creation. The American people – Democrats, Republicans and Independents – are telling us to do the right thing and ensure no one working full time is stuck living in poverty. I’m sorry we missed this opportunity today.”