Rep. Ellison: Rebekah's Story Too Common in America Today

Press Release

Rep. Keith Ellison (D-MN) released the following statement today ahead of President Obama's visit to Minnesota, where he will spend the afternoon walking in the shoes of a working mom from Minneapolis named Rebekah.

"Rebekah's story is powerful because it's too common in America today. Moms around the country are working every day to put food on the table and prepare for their children's future. Low wages, rising grocery prices and increased college costs weigh on the minds of parents in Minneapolis, in Memphis, in Detroit, and Topeka. Rebekah's story is everyone's story.

"Minnesota has done a lot for working families. The legislature raised the state minimum wage to $9.50 earlier this year. We invested to build a transit project called the Central Corridor, which created jobs and will now help people get between the Twin Cities quickly and easily. But even with all that progress, mothers like Rebekah still face an uphill battle.

"We must do more for her and for all working families struggling around the country. We need to renew unemployment insurance and raise the federal minimum wage. We need to empower workers and give them a voice on the job. All employers should provide paid sick leave.

"I'm proud President Obama is coming to Minneapolis to hear from Rebekah and other Minnesotans working hard to make it. I hope her story will inspire my colleagues to act for working families.

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