AUFC honors U.S. Reps. Ron Klein and Tim Mahoney as ‘Champions of the Middle Class’
Klein and Mahoney recognized for extraordinary leadership in passing the middle class agenda in the 110th Congress, including legislation to allow Medicare to negotiate cheaper Rx drugs for seniors, raise the minimum wage, and slash student loan interest rates in half
Boca Raton, FL - Americans United for Change honored U.S. Rep. Ron Klein (D-FL-22nd) and U.S. Rep. Tim Mahoney (D-FL-16th) today at a special ceremony at the Mae Volen Senior Center recognizing them as ‘Champions of the Middle Class' for their leading roles in passing meaningful initiatives in Congress to help restore America's disappearing middle class. Thanks to the Florida Representatives help, each of the following elements of the middle class agenda passed in the 110th session of the U.S. House of Representatives and are now pending in the U.S. Senate:
- Fair Minimum Wage Act, H.R.2, which would increase the federal minimum wage from $5.15 to $7.25 an hour over two years
- Medicare Prescription Drug Price Negotiation Act, H.R.4, which would require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to negotiate for lower prescription drug prices with the pharmaceutical industry
- College Student Relief Act, H.R. 5, which would slash the interest rates on subsidized student loans in half from the current 6.8 percent to 3.4 percent
- Creating Long-Term Energy Alternatives for the Nation Act, H.R.6, which would close loopholes and end giveaways in the tax code for the big oil industry and to create a Strategic Renewable Energy Reserve to invest in clean, renewable energy resources, promoting new emerging technologies, developing greater efficiency and improving energy conservation
- Employee Free Choice Act, H.R. 800, which would fix a broken system for forming unions and bargaining for better pay, improved benefits and retirement security.
"It is an honor to be recognized today," said Congressman Tim Mahoney, in a written statement. "I am committed to working on a bipartisan basis to support initiatives that reflect the values and priorities of Floridians. In the first 100 days, we passed meaningful legislation to improve the lives of Floridians by making America more secure, investing in our veterans, troops, seniors, and students, creating opportunities for Florida's small businesses, and cutting taxes for middle-income families. I am proud to be part of a majority that is working to rebuild the American dream. I look forward to continuing to deliver results on these issues for Florida's hardworking families."
"All boats should rise with the tide - not just the yachts," said Andrea Hildebran, of Americans United for Change. "We are here today to recognize Congressman Ron Klein and Congressman Tim Mahoney as strong voices middle class Florida workers, seniors, and families can count on to stand up for them -- not the special interests. Thanks to their extraordinary leadership in Washington, middle class Florida seniors and the disabled are one step closer to affordable prescription drugs. Florida's working poor and their families are one step closer to earning a livable wage. Middle class Florida students and their parents are one step closer to a more affordable college education, and middle class Florida consumers are one step closer to meeting their energy needs through cheaper, renewable, alternative sources -- without lining the pockets of the big oil companies. Representatives Klein and Mahoney truly are ‘champions of the middle class' and thanks to them, the tide is on the rise for middle class families all across Florida."
According to a recent Los Angeles Times/Bloomberg poll, the American public overwhelmingly supports the middle class agenda in Congress:
The student-loan rate cut that passed the House on [January 17, 2007] was supported by 79% of those polled. Legislation aimed at lowering prices in Medicare's prescription drug program, which passed the House [on January 12], was backed by 80%. Repealing tax breaks for big oil companies, which the House approved [January 18], was supported by 61%...The most popular item was the push to increase the federal minimum wage, which under the House bill would rise over two years to $7.25 an hour from $5.15. The increase, which would be the first in a decade, was supported by 81% of those surveyed - including 66% of self-described conservatives.
"It is very rewarding to help candidates get elected and see them do the right thing for voters," said Tony Fransetta, President of the Florida Association of Retired Americans.