Kagen Says Congress Can Do More Than Raise Minimum Wage

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Kagen Says Congress Can Do More Than Raise Minimum Wage Congressman-elect Steve Kagen says Democrats must do more to help working Americans than raise the minimum wage, one of their top early priorities upon taking over Congress. Reporter: Associated Press Kagen's Hopes for Congress

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WASHINGTON (AP) -- Congressman-elect Steve Kagen says Democrats must do more to help working Americans than raise the minimum wage, one of their top early priorities upon taking over Congress.

Kagen, a Democrat, is Wisconsin's only new member of Congress this year. Upon his swearing in, he told The Associated Press he'd like to see a minimum wage increase coupled with other steps.

Democrats are proposing to raise the federal hourly minimum wage from $5.15 to $7.25. It would be the first increase since 1997. But Kagen says that would help only an estimated four percent of the work force.

According to Kagen, other steps that need to be made involve the earned income tax credit and education aid for students and workers.

He says he needs to know more before deciding whether to vote for President Bush's request of more than $100 billion to fund military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Kagen says he wants to see the president's plan before deciding on the funding issue.