--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It is time this Congress listened to the…" description: "\"It is time this Congress listened to the American people and minimum-wage workers, and it is time that we act.\" — Russ Carnahan" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8e1/russ-carnahan-26654_aggravation_it-is-time-this-congress-listened-to-the_3028252.png" --- # It is time this Congress listened to the American people… ![“It is time this Congress listened to the American people and minimum-wage workers, and it is time that we act.” quote by Russ Carnahan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8e1/russ-carnahan-26654_aggravation_it-is-time-this-congress-listened-to-the_3028252.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8e1/russ-carnahan-26654_aggravation_it-is-time-this-congress-listened-to-the_3028252.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8e1/russ-carnahan-26654_aggravation_it-is-time-this-congress-listened-to-the_3028252.png) > “It is time this Congress listened to the American people and minimum-wage workers, and it is time that we act.” [Russ Carnahan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/russ-carnahan/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Policymakers must heed citizens, especially low‑wage workers, and act promptly. **In simple terms:** Listen to workers, act now. Key Takeaway Advocate for wage reform. Themes politics economics labor Mood urgent determined Type political activist When to use this quote - legislation - grassroots campaigns - public forums Key Concepts public policy social justice Questions to Reflect On - How to mobilize public pressure? - What policies best support low‑wage workers? A Different Perspective Political inertia can stall change. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Aggravation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/aggravation/) [American people](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/american-people/) [Congress](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/congress/) [Congress Listened](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/congress-listened-4934307/) [Minimum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/minimum/) [Minimum wage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/minimum-wage/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) [Time Act](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time-act-2192461/) [Time Congress](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time-congress-1623786/) [Workers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/workers/) ## Related quotes > [Congress has not raised the minimum wage since 1997. The minimum wage is now at its lowest level in 50 years adjusted for inflation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/russ-carnahan/congress-has-not-raised-the-minimum-wage-since-1997-the-minimum-wage/) [Russ Carnahan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/russ-carnahan/) > [I loved my time in Congress, but people who spend all of their time planning to run for office have very few useful skills…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-sununu/i-loved-my-time-in-congress-but-people-who-spend-all-of-their-time/) [John Sununu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-sununu/) > [The time is now for Congress to address health care in America.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-conyers/the-time-is-now-for-congress-to-address-health-care-in-america/) [John Conyers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-conyers/) > [If I have learned anything from my time in Congress, it is that the only way we are going to solve the big problems…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/will-hurd/if-i-have-learned-anything-from-my-time-in-congress-it-is-that-the/) [Will Hurd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/will-hurd/) > [Last time Congress passed a major six-year transportation bill was in 1997, since then there have been 21 short-term extensions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-lahood/last-time-congress-passed-a-major-six-year-transportation-bill-was-in/) [Ray LaHood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-lahood/) > [It's time for Congress to stop wasting its time and taxpayer money.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicole-malliotakis/it-s-time-for-congress-to-stop-wasting-its-time-and-taxpayer-money/) [Nicole Malliotakis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicole-malliotakis/) > [About the only time Congress conforms to the will of the people is when it decides to adjourn.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/evan-esar/about-the-only-time-congress-conforms-to-the-will-of-the-people-is/) [Evan Esar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/evan-esar/) > [To act is to act out of time. to act is to persuade time. to persuade is to act out of time. time is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/to-act-is-to-act-out-of-time-to-act-is-to-persuade-time-to-persuade/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“There is no perfect time for anything. The time is now. Act while you can.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lailah-gifty-akita/there-is-no-perfect-time-for-anything-the-time-is-now-act-while-you/) [Lailah Gifty Akita](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lailah-gifty-akita/) > [The best time to act on this was decades ago. The second best time is now.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-brin/the-best-time-to-act-on-this-was-decades-ago-the-second-best-time-is/) [David Brin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-brin/) > [“The time to act is now! Somebody go get the Director.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jarod-kintz/the-time-to-act-is-now-somebody-go-get-the-director/) [Jarod Kintz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jarod-kintz/) > [“Faith is not a one-time act. It’s a way of life.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-george/faith-is-not-a-one-time-act-it-s-a-way-of-life/) [Jim George](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-george/) > [“The time to act is not when everyone else does. The time to act is when everyone else has chosen not to.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/craig-d-lounsbrough/the-time-to-act-is-not-when-everyone-else-does-the-time-to-act-is/) [Craig D. Lounsbrough](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/craig-d-lounsbrough/) > [Think before you act?. I think so much, I don't even have time to act!..](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/think-before-you-act-i-think-so-much-i-don-t-even-have-time-to-act/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Without action, we are going to continue to allow Iran to be a safe harbor for terrorists, see its economy further deteriorate, and see…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/russ-carnahan/without-action-we-are-going-to-continue-to-allow-iran-to-be-a-safe/) [Russ Carnahan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/russ-carnahan/) ## More by Russ Carnahan > [In 2003, this House voted to kill a Democratic amendment to add $250 million for port security grants; then again, in 2005, against a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/russ-carnahan/in-2003-this-house-voted-to-kill-a-democratic-amendment-to-add-250/) [Russ Carnahan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/russ-carnahan/) > [The Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Act is an important authorization for our country and for our citizens, as we have seen so vividly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/russ-carnahan/the-coast-guard-and-maritime-transportation-act-is-an-important/) [Russ Carnahan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/russ-carnahan/) > [It is irresponsible for this Congress to not investigate the President's lack of an exit strategy, and the fraud, waste, and abuse of U.S.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/russ-carnahan/it-is-irresponsible-for-this-congress-to-not-investigate-the/) [Russ Carnahan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/russ-carnahan/) > [The U.S. Coast Guard is a shining example of how well a Federal agency can perform with its flexibility, speed, and expertise.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/russ-carnahan/the-u-s-coast-guard-is-a-shining-example-of-how-well-a-federal-agency/) [Russ Carnahan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/russ-carnahan/) > [As winter weather settles in around the country, millions of American families are facing skyrocketing home heating prices with even greater impact if cold…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/russ-carnahan/as-winter-weather-settles-in-around-the-country-millions-of-american/) [Russ Carnahan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/russ-carnahan/) > [Congress has not raised the minimum wage since 1997. The minimum wage is now at its lowest level in 50 years adjusted for inflation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/russ-carnahan/congress-has-not-raised-the-minimum-wage-since-1997-the-minimum-wage/) [Russ Carnahan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/russ-carnahan/) > [The American people have every right to be outraged with the administration's approval of the UAE port deal. It is time the people's House…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/russ-carnahan/the-american-people-have-every-right-to-be-outraged-with-the/) [Russ Carnahan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/russ-carnahan/) > [We know that in 2001 it was believed 78 stem cell lines existed. But now we know there are only 22 that are viable,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/russ-carnahan/we-know-that-in-2001-it-was-believed-78-stem-cell-lines-existed-but/) [Russ Carnahan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/russ-carnahan/) > [Americans are also feeling the effects of soaring energy prices at the gas pump. The double burden of these added expenses will be far…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/russ-carnahan/americans-are-also-feeling-the-effects-of-soaring-energy-prices-at/) [Russ Carnahan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/russ-carnahan/) > [From protecting our natural resources to providing maritime security and national defense, the Coast Guard's duties are broad in scope, and the performance of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/russ-carnahan/from-protecting-our-natural-resources-to-providing-maritime-security/) [Russ Carnahan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/russ-carnahan/) > [Five years of Republicans' failed energy policies have resulted in Americans paying twice as much at the pump as they did in 2001, while…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/russ-carnahan/five-years-of-republicans-failed-energy-policies-have-resulted-in/) [Russ Carnahan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/russ-carnahan/) > [Does anyone really believe it is possible to make even the most basic ends meet on $5.15 an hour?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/russ-carnahan/does-anyone-really-believe-it-is-possible-to-make-even-the-most-basic/) [Russ Carnahan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/russ-carnahan/) > [6.6 million people will benefit from a rise in the minimum wage.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/russ-carnahan/6-6-million-people-will-benefit-from-a-rise-in-the-minimum-wage/) [Russ Carnahan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/russ-carnahan/) > [The regional security in the Middle East cannot be further compromised by an Iranian loose cannon.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/russ-carnahan/the-regional-security-in-the-middle-east-cannot-be-further/) [Russ Carnahan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/russ-carnahan/) > [There is little doubt that Iran is on a mission to rebuild its nuclear weapons and use that capability to wreak havoc and destruction…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/russ-carnahan/there-is-little-doubt-that-iran-is-on-a-mission-to-rebuild-its/) [Russ Carnahan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/russ-carnahan/) [Explore all 21 Russ Carnahan quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/russ-carnahan/) ## More Aggravation quotes > [As the first Member of Congress from western Washington to serve on the House Agriculture Committee in over 50 years, I am proud to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-larsen/as-the-first-member-of-congress-from-western-washington-to-serve-on/) [Rick Larsen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-larsen/) > [I really never felt any tremendous aggravation or separation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chita-rivera/i-really-never-felt-any-tremendous-aggravation-or-separation/) [Chita Rivera](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chita-rivera/) > [It is time to end the discrimination against people who need treatment for chemical addiction. 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People look to escape…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-baudrillard/holidays-are-in-no-sense-an-alternative-to-the-congestion-and-bustle/) [Jean Baudrillard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-baudrillard/) > [Nobody wanted to touch Decline III when they found out what it was about.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/penelope-spheeris/nobody-wanted-to-touch-decline-iii-when-they-found-out-what-it-was/) [Penelope Spheeris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/penelope-spheeris/) > [I consider my mom and all my sisters my friends.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexa-vega/i-consider-my-mom-and-all-my-sisters-my-friends/) [Alexa Vega](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexa-vega/) > [Well, for starters, we have to do more to create demand for new technologies that can reduce our dependence on foreign oil and environmental…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sherwood-boehlert/well-for-starters-we-have-to-do-more-to-create-demand-for-new/) [Sherwood Boehlert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sherwood-boehlert/) > [By failing to keep their end of the bargain, the Bush administration would allow New Jersey projects to deteriorate and make New Jersey highways…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-menendez/by-failing-to-keep-their-end-of-the-bargain-the-bush-administration/) [Bob Menendez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-menendez/) > [The first Decline I did was out of sheer love and appreciation for the music. 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