Congresswoman Ashley Hinson (IA-01) released the following statement regarding her concerns about how the proposed federal $15-dollar minimum wage mandate would devastate the Iowa economy and the district’s rural communities.
Congresswoman Ashley Hinson said: “I met with various businesses, constituents, and organizations across Iowa’s First District last week including mental health service providers, manufacturers, and local restaurant owners. While each entity is facing unique challenges amid the COVID-19 pandemic, everyone I met with was in agreement about how devastating a federally mandated minimum wage would be to our rural economy in Iowa. This would disproportionately hurt rural areas. Businesses and organizations that are vital to our community simply would not be able to take this hit. I heard Iowans loud and clear on this issue. I will not support any legislation that includes a $15-dollar federal minimum wage mandate and strips Iowans of their ability to work. I hope this divisive proposal, and other liberal wish list items, are left out of the next COVID-19 relief bill so that we can quickly deliver targeted relief to those who need it most.”
“Small business owners here in Iowa are very concerned about the Raise the Wage Act of 2021. That’s why 92% of our members oppose its mandates. The bill puts small business owners between a rock and a hard place: they must increase the cost of their product or services or reduce labor costs. That means hundreds of thousands of small business employees would see reduced hours, reduced benefits, or layoffs. None of these changes benefit any of our small business owners here in Iowa,” said Matt Everson, NFIB State Director in Iowa.
