More than 100 House Democrats Introduce Bill to Increase the Minimum Wage

WASHINGTON – Saying it is time for working people to get a raise, Rep. George Miller (D-Calif.), the senior Democratic member of the House Education and the Workforce Committee, led more than 100 other House Democrats in introducing legislation today to raise the minimum wage to $9.80. This would be the first increase in the minimum wage since 2009 and the first increase in the minimum wage for tipped-workers in 21 years. Sen. Tom Harkin (D-Iowa) is expected to introduce companion legislation in the United States Senate today.

“Raising the minimum wage at its core is about respecting and valuing work. No one who works hard every day and plays by the rules should live in poverty,” said Rep. Miller, the House author of the 2007 bill that increased the minimum wage to $7.25 after ten years of no raise at all. “Increasing workers’ paychecks will help millions of working families make ends meet and help the nation’s economy grow. It is time for Congress to stand up for working people for a change and for Washington Republicans to stop using their position in Congress only to benefit wealthy special interests.  They should join Democrats in ensuring a well-deserved raise for millions of honest, hardworking Americans.”

The Fair Minimum Wage Act of 2012 (H.R. 6211) will increase the minimum wage in three 85-cent steps, over three years, from $7.25 to $9.80 per hour. The rate will then be indexed to inflation each year thereafter. In addition, the legislation will increase the required cash wage for tipped workers in annual 85 cent increases, from today’s $2.13 per hour until the tip credit reaches 70 percent of the regular minimum wage. The last time tipped workers received an increase in their minimum wage was 1991.

More information on The Fair Minimum Wage Act of 2012

Facts on the minimum wage (pdf)