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Tenth District Representative Donald M. Payne has again stood up for the millions of everyday working Americans by casting his vote for the bipartisan piece of legislation that would increase 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 by a vote of 315 to 116 and it is now awaiting action in the Senate.
“The critical needs of America’s working families have been ignored for far too long,” Congressman Payne said. “That is why the House Democratic leadership brought H.R. 2, a bill to increase the federal minimum wage, to the floor during the first full week of the 110th Congress.”
“Consumer costs – from energy to health care to education – have risen by $5,000. At the same time, American families have seen their real income drop by almost $1,300 since 2000. The minimum wage, which has remained unchanged for nearly 10 years, is at its lowest value in more than half a century,” Payne commented. “A pay raise for 13 million workers nationwide – including nearly 300,000 New Jerseyans is long overdue. It is wrong to have millions of Americans working full-time and year-round and still living in poverty.”
House Resolution 2 will increase the minimum wage by $2.10 – from $5.15 to $7.25 an hour over two years. The bipartisan bill raises the minimum wage to $5.85 60 days after enactment; to $6.55 one year later; and to $7.25 one year after that. This would mean an additional $4,400/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 Representative Payne. “Our action today will make a real difference in the lives of America’s hard-working families.”
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