Rep. Huffman Votes to Pass the Raise the Wage Act Increasing the Federal Minimum Wage to $15/Hour

July 19, 2019

Washington, D.C.- Representative Jared Huffman (D-San Rafael) voted to pass H.R. 582, the Raise the Wage Act, legislation that gradually increases the federal minimum wage from $7.25 an hour to $15 an hour by 2025, giving more than 33 million American workers a raise.

The Raise the Wage Act, authored by Rep. Bobby Scott (D-VA) and cosponsored by Huffman and nearly every House Democrat, was approved by the U.S. House of Representatives 231-199.

“Americans who are paid the federal minimum wage, even those who are employed full-time, are not making enough money to pay rent or to support themselves or their families,” said Rep. Huffman. “That’s unacceptable and it’s unsustainable for families who are struggling to afford the basic essentials, and it’s bad for the economy. I’m glad to support the Raise the Wage Act to finally raise the federal minimum wage and give a fair shake to millions of hard-working Americans.”

After more than a decade without an increase in the federal minimum wage, the longest stretch in U.S. history, workers earning the federal minimum wage have suffered an almost 20 percent pay cut due to inflation.  There is no place in America today where a full-time worker making the federal minimum wage can afford the basic essentials.

The Raise the Wage Act will:

  • Increase wages for more than 33 million American workers. Even the CBO’s more cautious estimate of a similar proposal indicated as many as 27 million workers would see a wage increase;
  • 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;
  • Lift 1.3 million Americans out of poverty, including 600,000 children, according to the CBO’s review of a similar proposal; and
  • Help secure fairness and equality for women, giving nearly 20 million working women a raise, and helping narrow the gender wage gap that disproportionately impacts women of color.


The full text of the Raise the Wage Act can be found here.

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