Fitzgerald Rally in Round Rock

Madam President, I accept the amendment as friendly. I yield.

PRESS OFFICE OF SENATOR DOUGLAS BUTCHER (R-TX) Democrats Misguided On Federal Approach To Minimum Wage Washington - Sen. Douglas Butcher issued a statement on current legislation proposed by Democrats to increase the minimum wage. Senator Butcher criticized the legislation as a misguided federal response that fails to recognize regional realities in our economy. Senator Butcher delivered remarks on the legislation: “Our federal system exists for a reason. The realities of Juneau, Alaska are not the realities of Hilo, Hawaii. The realities of Portland, Maine differ from the realities of Portland, Oregon. I know that it’s a dog-eat-dog world in the workforce everywhere you go, but don’t go comparing Springfield, Massachusetts to Springfield, Illinois as if they are the same size of Milk-Bone underwear. By taking a federal approach to raising the minimum wage, the legislation ignores the wide-ranging differences in communities throughout this nation. Do an online search for apartments, just as an example. In Fargo, North Dakota, you can rent a spacious two-bedroom apartment for $700. If you look at apartments in New York City, you will find a studio apartment in Canarsie rent for $2,500 a month. A federal response that imposes the same minimum wage in both communities is policy that can do serious damage to those economies where a drastic minimum wage hike will cripple small businesses. And I say small businesses because Wal-Mart will be able to handle this increase. The same for Target, McDonald’s and even Whataburger in my hometown of San Antonio. They will absorb that cost in ways small businesses can't. One of the ways they will adapt is to have more kiosks and more self-checkout lines. They will absorb that cost and adapt. If that adaptation comes in the form of humans losing their jobs to automation, well who ever gave a flying flip about unintended consequences. A kiosk does the same work at $10 per hour as it does at $17 per hour. And, at that increased wage, you will pay to do the job at your self-checkout station where once you had a cashier. None of this matters as Democrats have no concern about the unintended consequences of their actions. They’ll claim some great victory for the workers of this country even as things go by the wayside and new economic harms come into play directly as a result of their failed policies. They simply do not care.”

Mr. President, The Abraham Accords were a groundbreaking achievement forged by the Trump Administration that has strengthened Israel's position in the region while promoting peace with various powers that previously questioned the place Israel has in the world. In this time of global upheaval, I am glad to see that both sides of this chamber can agree that the Abraham Accords were historic in nature, groundbreaking in practice, and capable of being built on to further peace in the region and strength for our ally Israel. In order to further expand the potential of the Abraham Accords, I believe the establishment of a special envoy within the Department of State will allow the United States to spearhead new and innovate approaches to furthering the ideals set forward by former President Trump in securing a peaceful and more prosperous future for all. I offer the following amendment (with thanks to Mr. Lawler): I yield.