REP. ANDREWS PRAISES MINIMUM WAGE INCREASE 

Federal Minimum Wage Rises for First Time in a Decade

Tuesday commemorated the first federal minimum wage increase in a decade after Democratic legislation raising the minimum wage took effect in states across the country. The minimum wage increase is part of a broader effort to provide more opportunity for working families and restore the American dream.

For too long, minimum wage workers have been denied the raise they deserve. Democrats pledged to raise the minimum wage. We made good on our promise and now, workers across America are seeing what happens when Congress puts the American people first.

It has been 10 years since American workers have seen an increase in the federal minimum wage—the longest increase gap in the history of the law. Over that decade, inflation has all but erased the effect of the last raise – leaving millions of families behind – with the minimum wage reaching its lowest effective level in more than half a century. The 70 cent raise that takes effect will be followed by two more 70 cent increases annually—for a total of $2.10 an hour, or $4,400 by July 2009.
 
The wage increase also marks one of the first steps in Congress' efforts to grow our economy and provide more opportunity and prosperity for all Americans. The New Direction Congress is fighting for:

o the largest effort to reduce college costs since the GI Bill in 1944;
o tax breaks for middle and low income Americans
o new American jobs created by growing our renewable energy and technology sectors;
o cost-effective health coverage for millions of uninsured children;
o lower energy costs for all Americans; and
o a return to fiscal responsibility in Washington, no longer passing the debt on to future generations of Americans, with pay as you go budget discipline and a budget that balances in five years, unlike the President’s.

We are changing the direction of this country. We are putting people first in the People’s House and fighting to give more opportunities to working families in America. 

Return to the Washington Updates Page