For Immediate Release                                              Press contact: Jeremy Cogan, 202-225-5256
January 10, 2007                                                                                jeremy.cogan@mail.house.gov

Napolitano Votes to Give America’s Working Families A Pay Raise

(Washington D.C.)- Today in a historic move by Congress, Representative Grace F. Napolitano (D-Norwalk) voted for bipartisan legislation increasing the minimum wage to $7.25 an hour over two years, benefiting nearly 13 million American workers and their families. 

The House passed the bill this afternoon by a vote of 315 to 116.

“The critical needs of America’s working families have been ignored for far too long,” said Rep. Napolitano.  “It was a priority for the House Democratic leadership who brought H.R. 2, the Fair Minimum Wage Act of 2007, to the floor during the first 100 hours of the 110th Congress.”

“Ten years of neglect – plus inflation – have left workers living below the poverty line,” commented Napolitano in a speech to the House of Representatives.  “The 1.4 million working women and heads of households will be the main beneficiaries of this increase from $5.15 to $7.25 per hour, most of whom are African American and Hispanic female workers.”

H.R. 2 will increase the minimum wage by $2.10 an hour over two years.  The bipartisan bill raises the minimum wage to $5.85 sixty days after enactment; to $6.55 one year later; and to $7.25 one year after that. This would mean an additional $4,400 per year for a family of three, equaling 15 months of groceries, or over two years of health care – helping them to keep up with rising costs.

“Raising the minimum wage is the first step to a stronger economy for all Americans, not just for the privileged few,” said Napolitano.  “Our action today will make a real difference in the lives of America’s working families.”

Representative Napolitano and her Democratic colleagues are spending their first 100 working hours advancing their legislative agenda - A New Direction - that that provides opportunity, security and prosperity for all Americans.  A clock that tracks the first 100 hours, along with updates on the status of legislation, can be found at Napolitano’s website: http://www.napolitano.house.gov

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