US House Democrats have introduced a Bill to more than double the federal minimum wage, phasing in a US$15 hourly minimum over a period of six years.
Senate Democratic Leader Charles Schumer explained the move at a US Capitol news conference by saying: “President Trump isn’t going to stick up for American workers – we Democrats will.”
After six years, the proposed US$15 minimum would rise automatically to keep pace with inflation, eliminating lower minimum wages permitted now for tipped workers, people with disabilities and the under 20s. According to Politico, the legislation has the support of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, Senator Bernie Sanders and House Education and Labor Chairman Bobby Scott.
The last time Congress raised the federal hourly minimum, which now stands at US$7.25, was in 2007. Opposition by congressional Republicans subsequently killed proposed hikes by President Barak Obama's, but in the 2016 presidential election candidate Trump said he supported a rise in the hourly minimum to US$10, after first proposing to scrap the minimum wage altogether.
But according to Boston 25 News, 29 states already have a higher minimum wage than US$10 anyway. Only last year, voters in Missouri approved increasing the minimum wage to US$12 by 2023, while Arkansas voters agreed to it going up to US$11 by 2021.
The proposed new legislation comes amid strong public support for a hike in the legal minimum. Polls show nearly three-quarters of voters support a rise, although there is disagreement over the exact proportion. Young voters have indicated the minimum wage will be a key issue for them in 2020.
Emma Woollacott is a freelance business journalist. Her work has appeared in a wide range of publications, including the Guardian, the Times, Forbes and the BBC.
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US House Democrats have introduced a Bill to more than double the federal minimum wage, phasing in a US$15 hourly minimum over a period of six years.
Senate Democratic Leader Charles Schumer explained the move at a US Capitol news conference by saying: “President Trump isn’t going to stick up for American workers – we Democrats will.”
After six years, the proposed US$15 minimum would rise automatically to keep pace with inflation, eliminating lower minimum wages permitted now for tipped workers, people with disabilities and the under 20s. According to Politico, the legislation has the support of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, Senator Bernie Sanders and House Education and Labor Chairman Bobby Scott.
The last time Congress raised the federal hourly minimum, which now stands at US$7.25, was in 2007. Opposition by congressional Republicans subsequently killed proposed hikes by President Barak Obama's, but in the 2016 presidential election candidate Trump said he supported a rise in the hourly minimum to US$10, after first proposing to scrap the minimum wage altogether.
But according to Boston 25 News, 29 states already have a higher minimum wage than US$10 anyway. Only last year, voters in Missouri approved increasing the minimum wage to US$12 by 2023, while Arkansas voters agreed to it going up to US$11 by 2021.
The proposed new legislation comes amid strong public support for a hike in the legal minimum. Polls show nearly three-quarters of voters support a rise, although there is disagreement over the exact proportion. Young voters have indicated the minimum wage will be a key issue for them in 2020.
Emma Woollacott is a freelance business journalist. Her work has appeared in a wide range of publications, including the Guardian, the Times, Forbes and the BBC.
OTHER STORIES THAT MAY INTEREST YOU
Disney workers win US$15 minimum wage
New York aims to impose minimum pay standards on Uber
Michigan's Republicans seek to rescind minimum wage and sick pay laws
