Rep. Stevens Votes to Advance Bill Gradually Increasing the Minimum Wage to $15 by 2024
Rep. Stevens Votes to Advance Bill Gradually Increasing the Minimum Wage to $15 by 2024
WASHINGTON – Today, Rep. Stevens voted to advance the Raise the Wage Act, a proposal that would gradually raise the minimum wage to $15 by 2024. The proposal would increase wages for nearly 40 million Americans across the country. It was advanced through the House Committee on Education and Labor today.
“The Raise the Wage Act is a key part of our middle class agenda for Michigan,” said Congresswoman Stevens. “Coupled with expanding access to skills training and robust worker protections backed up by a strong labor movement, the Raise the Wage Act will help ensure that every Michigander has a path to a successful career and a job that pays a living wage. This bill is good for workers, good for businesses, good for our economy, and it is in line with what Michiganders want.”
VIDEO of Congresswoman Stevens from today’s committee markup
Transcript: “We all know that women and minorities fare worst in this equation. Research has shown that a $15 pay floor would make a real difference in closing the pay gaps that still exist in this country. Today, I urge my colleagues to take care of the unfinished business of the women’s rights and civil rights movement and pass this legislation.”
The Raise the Wage Act would:
• Gradually raise the federal minimum wage from $7.25 to $15 over the next six years to lift millions of workers out of poverty, stimulate local economies, and restore the value of the minimum wage;
• Index future increases in the federal minimum wage to median wage growth to ensure the value of the minimum wage does not once again erode over time;
• Guarantees tipped workers are paid at least the full federal minimum wage by repealing the subminimum wage for tipped workers, which will ensure consistent, livable pay;
• Guarantees teen workers are paid at least the full federal minimum wage by repealing the rarely used subminimum wage for youth workers; and
• End subminimum wage certificates for individuals with disabilities to provide opportunities for individuals with disabilities to be competitively employed, taxpaying citizens and participate more fully in their communities.
To read a fact sheet on Raise the Wage Act, click here.
###