Widespread Support for the Raise the Wage Act

(Washington, D.C.) – Yesterday, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) and U.S. Congressman Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (D-VA) introduced the Raise the Wage Act, legislation that would increase the minimum wage to $12 by 2020. The Raise the Wage Act would also index the federal minimum wage to the median wage, and gradually eliminate the subminimum tipped wage. The legislation would raise wages for nearly 38 million American workers.

What others are saying about the Raise the Wage Act:

National Employment Law Project –signed by over 320 organizations across the county: “These are the frontline workers who make America run. Yet they are struggling as our economy enjoys strong growth but remains tilted towards low-paying jobs. The time for the Raise the Wage Act is long overdue, and we cannot delay in working toward its passage. We call on Congress to enact this important piece of legislation as quickly as possible, and for President Obama to sign it when it comes to his desk.”

Service Employees International Union (SEIU): "This bill shows that working men and women, standing up and speaking out, are being heard. They're taking their case to the streets and to the ballot box for an economy that works for everyone, not just the wealthy few. Low wages are the crisis of our time. To solve this crisis, our country needs a minimum wage that families can live on, and workers must be free to join together in a union and fight for the higher pay they deserve. I applaud Senator [Patty] Murray (D-Wash.) and Congressman [Robert C. "Bobby"] Scott (D-Va.) for their leadership."

Teamsters: "This legislation will offer a hand up to millions of U.S. families who are struggling to make ends meet. Too many hardworking Americans are trying to earn a living but are impeded by this nation's low wage floor of $7.25 an hour.”

Economic Policy Institute: “By every common benchmark, today’s federal minimum wage is far below its 1968 value. Raising the federal minimum to $12.00 by 2020 would raise the purchasing power of the minimum wage modestly relative to where it was five decades ago. It would also restore the relationship between the minimum wage and the wage of workers in the middle (whether measured using the median wage or the average wage of production workers).”

Center for American Progress: “This new legislation, to be jointly introduced in both the Senate and the House as the Raise the Wage Act, is a positive commitment by lawmakers to raise the wage for struggling workers and their families. It will not only allow for increased earnings and a reduction in poverty, but will also lead to beneficial taxpayer savings, including more than $5 billion per year in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, costs.”

National Women’s Law Center: “A $12 minimum wage would mean larger paychecks for more than 21 million women. For millions of women across the country and the families who depend on their earnings, this increase would mean the end of poverty-level wages—and a real shot at a better life. We urge Congress to pass the Raise the Wage Act now.”

The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights: “Passage of the Raise the Wage Act would improve the standard of living for millions of hardworking Americans, contribute to long-term prosperity, and expand our economy for the benefit of all. Economists project that this proposal would increase wages for nearly 38 million Americans and pump billions of dollars into our economy.”

National Council of La Raza: “While the Latino employment rate has bounced back since the recession, low wages keep far too many working families struggling to cover their basic expenses,” said Eric Rodriguez, Vice President of the Office of Research, Advocacy and Legislation at NCLR. “In the 2014 elections, raising the minimum wage was a top priority for Latino voters, as evidenced by their strong support for wage hikes in four states and several cities. This bill responds to voters’ call by setting a meaningful floor on what workers can be paid.”

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