WASHINGTON, DC--Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) released the following statement today applauding President Obama's Executive Order raising the minimum wage to $10.10 for hundreds of thousands of Americans working under federal service contracts. The Executive Order is effective for new contracts beginning January 1, 2015.

"This Executive Order is a good first step and will benefit hundreds of thousands of hard-working Americans. But it is only a step and Congress needs to act. The greatest economic challenge of our time is addressing stagnant wages and the lack of upward mobility. We should immediately take up and pass legislation increasing salaries for the millions of people struggling to get by on a minimum wage salary. When people have more money in their pocket, they can more readily provide for their family and put money back into the economy, benefiting everyone. For the benefit of all Americans, we must act."