Washington, D.C. - Today, the House of Representatives passed H.R. 582 the Raise the Wage Act which would raise the national minimum wage to $15 over six years and index it to inflation thereafter. According to a recent Congressional Budget Office study, the bill would not only increase wages for up to 27.3 million Americans, it would also lift 1.3 million Americans out of poverty.
“This bill is badly needed. The federal minimum wage has not been raised in 10 years.” Said Congressman Jim Himes.
Earlier this year, Connecticut already passed a law to raise the minimum wage , ensuring the state will have a $15 minimum wage by 2023. A study by EPI estimates that 25% of workers in the 4th district will see an increase in their annual earnings with a $15 minimum wage.
“This bill makes sure that the rest of the country can benefit in the same way as Connecticut, because no parent should have to choose between spending time with their children and paying their bills,” continued Himes. “More than any abstract percentage, this raise means that families can spend more time together and less time worrying about how to afford food or pay their bills.”