McMorris Rodgers: Restoring Wages for Eastern Washington

WASHINGTON, D.C.— Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (WA-05), Chair of the House Republican Conference, discussed the hardships those in Eastern Washington face as a result of the revised 30-hour “full-time” work week definition in the President’s health care law.  In a press conference with House Republican leaders today, McMorris Rodgers highlighted the action House Republicans are taking to fix this consequence of the President’s health care plan.

"Yesterday the President attempted to tout the success of his signature health care law – but he failed to account for the millions of Americans – in Eastern Washington and across the country — who have been hurt because of it. He told the American people, 'The law is working. It’s helping people from coast to coast.' But reality paints a far different picture.

"People in Eastern Washington are struggling to pay their premiums, see their old doctors, and keep their hours at work. In fact, the Hoover Institute estimates that 2.6 million workers are at risk for reduced hours because of Obamacare’s 30-hour definition – and these are median-income workers – some of the most vulnerable in our country. I’ve heard from too many people at home – people who bag groceries at our local market, who work late nights at the McDonald’s Drive Thru, or who serve as teacher’s aides in our classrooms. And so many of them are afraid – almost panicked – about how to make ends meet if their hours are cut because of Obamacare’s revised 30-hour definition. That’s why I’m proud we are taking action to restore the 40-hour work week with the Save American Workers Act – and I hope we can come together to pass it. The success of the President’s health care law cannot be measured by his words or his unconfirmed numbers, but by people’s real-life experiences. And it is not working. So let’s pass a solution that really protects people in Eastern Washington and across the United States." 

Click Here to Watch Congresswoman McMorris Rodgers’ Remarks