Press Releases

Washington, DC – Today, Congresswoman Lori Trahan (D-MA-03) voted to pass the Raise the Wage Act, landmark legislation to gradually increase the federal minimum wage to $15 over six years. According to independent economic analysis, the bill would increase pay for up to 33 million American workers.  

The Raise the Wage Act is an important step toward delivering on House Democrats’ promise to restore the value of work and raise wages for American workers. 

“There’s no doubt that the economy is working well for some, but for far too many families the cost of living has dramatically outpaced their earnings. A large part of that is because the federal minimum wage has been stuck at $7.25 for over a decade. Today I was proud to cast a vote to see that it is raised to $15 an hour over six years. This boost will increase pay for over 33 million workers including nearly 20 million women, 16 million people of color, and more than 9 million workers with children. This legislation is good for workers, good for families, and good for our economy. I am proud to have supported this bill through the committee process, and again today on the House floor. It represents another promise kept by our House majority,” said Rep. Trahan.

Shortly before final passage, Rep. Trahan spoke on the House Floor during general debate in support of the Raise the Wage Act.

Footage of the speech can be found HERE: 

After more than 10 years without an increase in the federal minimum wage – the longest stretch in history – low-wage workers have suffered a 17 percent pay cut due to inflation. There is no place in American where a full-time worker making the federal minimum wage can afford the basic necessities for themselves and their families. 

According to the Congressional Budget Office’s review of a similar proposal the Raise the Wage Act would lift 1.3 million Americans out of poverty, including 600,000 children. 

The Raise the Wage Act of 2019 would:

• Gradually raise the federal minimum wage from $7.25 to $15 over the next six years, lifting millions of workers out of poverty, stimulating local economies, and restoring the value of minimum wage;
• Index future increases in the federal minimum wage to median wage growth to ensure the value of minimum wage does not once again erode over time;

Guarantee tipped workers, youth workers, and workers with disabilities are paid at least the full federal minimum wage by phasing out the subminimum wages that allow these workers to be paid below $7.25 an hour.  

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