ms. collins: madam president? the presiding officer: the senator from maine. ms. collins: madam president, i ask unanimous consent that proceedings under the call be dispensed with. the presiding officer: without objection. ms. collins: thank you, madam president. madam president, i want to comment on the vote that we took earlier today on whether or not to proceed to a bill that would increase the minimum wage to $10.10 an hour. now, madam president, it has been several years since we have increased the minimum wage, and i support an increase in the minimum wage, but i do not believe that at a time when our economy is so fragile as is indicated by the very slow increase in g.d.p. that was reported this morning that we can afford to increase the minimum wage by some 39%. i would note, madam president, that just a year ago, president obama was suggesting that we should increase the minimum wage to $9 an hour. i don't see any change in the economic conditions that would have caused him to abruptly change his position and now be advocating $10.10 an hour. i know, mada

ms. collins: madam president? the presiding officer: the senator from maine. ms. llins: madam president, i ask unanimous consent that proceedings under the call be dispensed with. the presiding officer: without objection. ms. collins: thank you, madam president. madam president, i want to comment on the vote that we took earlier today on whether or not to proceed to a bill that would increase the minimum wage to $10.10 an hour.