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Pelosi got Charley the Tuna | |
2007-01-12 | |
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"I am shocked," said Rep. Eric Cantor, Virginia Republican and his party's chief deputy whip, noting that Mrs. Pelosi campaigned heavily on promises of honest government. "Now we find out that she is exempting hometown companies from minimum wage. This is exactly the hypocrisy and double talk that we have come to expect from the Democrats." On Wednesday, the House voted to raise the minimum wage from $5.15 to $7.25 per hour. The bill also extends for the first time the federal minimum wage to the U.S. territory of the Northern Mariana Islands. However, it exempts American Samoa, another Pacific island territory that would become the only U.S. territory not subject to federal minimum-wage laws. One of the biggest opponents of the federal minimum wage in Samoa is StarKist Tuna, which owns one of the two packing plants that together employ more than 5,000 Samoans, or nearly 75 percent of the island's work force. StarKist's parent company, Del Monte Corp., has headquarters in San Francisco, which is represented by Mrs. Pelosi. The other plant belongs to California-based Chicken of the Sea. "There's something fishy going on here," said Rep. Patrick T. McHenry, North Carolina Republican. yes, get used to it During the House debate yesterday on stem-cell research, Mr. McHenry raised a parliamentary inquiry as to whether an amendment could be offered that would exempt American Samoa from stem-cell research, "just as it was for the minimum-wage bill." A clearly perturbed Rep. Barney Frank, the Massachusetts Democrat who was presiding, cut off Mr. McHenry and shouted, "No, it would not be." "So, the chair is saying I may not offer an amendment exempting American Samoa?" Mr. "The gentleman is making a speech and will sustain," Shouldn't that be refrain? Mr. Frank shouted as he slammed his large wooden gavel ... he said wood ... against the rostrum. Some Republicans who voted in favor of the minimum-wage bill were particularly irritated to learn yesterday -- after their vote -- that the legislation did not include American Samoa. maybe if you had of read the thing first, you guys are slow learners "I was troubled to learn of this exemption," said Rep. Mark Steven Kirk, Illinois Republican. "My intention was to raise the minimum wage for everyone. We shouldn't permit any special favors or exemptions that are not widely discussed in Congress. This is the problem with rushing legislation through without full debate." Do'nt like it? Quit fighting amongst yourselves. Quit fighting with the President and start working with other Republicans. These guys will be easy to pick off only if you get together as a party. A spokeswoman for Mrs. Pelosi said Wednesday that the speaker has not been lobbied in any way by StarKist or Del Monte. | |
Posted by:Angoluth Chelet4945 |
#9 The blame will end up on some staffer, who "accidentally deleted Samoa during the final writing of the bill, because 'America' had been accidentally deleted earlier by another, unknown, staff member". |
Posted by: Pappy 2007-01-12 21:23 |
#8 So Speaker Pelosi steps on her dick first time out. Fun to watch, no ? |
Posted by: wxjames 2007-01-12 19:42 |
#7 Ima having a nasty flashback Mike. Glad Dave D. is a mod now. |
Posted by: Shipman 2007-01-12 15:40 |
#6 It's fishy, all right. I'm waiting with baited breath for Pelosi to tip the scales and get her bass kicked. I hope the media takes the bait and fillets her, instead of floundering around like a fish out of water. |
Posted by: Mike 2007-01-12 13:08 |
#5 Actually, it's just under new management... |
Posted by: tu3031 2007-01-12 12:30 |
#4 One of the biggest opponents of the federal minimum wage in Samoa is StarKist Tuna, which owns one of the two packing plants that together employ more than 5,000 Samoans, or nearly 75 percent of the island's work force. StarKist's parent company, Del Monte Corp., has headquarters in San Francisco, which is represented by Mrs. Pelosi. The other plant belongs to California-based Chicken of the Sea. Way to combat that culture of corruption Pelosi. |
Posted by: Anon4021 2007-01-12 12:26 |
#3 Sorry about the link... That was me... |
Posted by: TomAnon 2007-01-12 11:58 |
#2 AoS, here's the link to Hunt's Washington Times column. HT Drudge. http://washingtontimes.com/national/20070112-120720-2734r.htm |
Posted by: GK 2007-01-12 10:33 |
#1 I heard that ALL the cars in A.S. are stolen. Don't know if it's true, but it could be. Small population. |
Posted by: mojo 2007-01-12 10:14 |