“This is unacceptable. No one working full time should be struggling to survive,” said Rep. Analilia Mejia regarding the proposed Living Wage for All Act. The legislation aims to raise the federal minimum wage to $25 an hour, marking the first increase in over a decade.
The current federal minimum wage sits at $7.25 an hour, unchanged since 2009. The bill seeks to eliminate subminimum wages and is supported by a coalition of over 100 labor, civil rights, and advocacy groups.
Large employers would need to phase in the new wage by 2031, while smaller employers would have until 2038. Supporters argue that the current federal wage no longer reflects the rising cost of living in the United States.
Rep. Delia Ramirez emphasized that this movement has evolved from the Fight for $15 into a nationwide push for a true living wage. Critics warn that raising labor costs significantly could force some businesses to cut jobs or reduce working hours.
The proposal is part of a broader national push for wage growth across the country. Thirty states already have minimum wages above the federal level, highlighting disparities in earnings.
The bill would also tie future minimum wage increases to broader economic wage growth, ensuring that wages keep pace with inflation and cost of living adjustments.
