The 2019 Raise the Wage Act (H.R. 582), historic legislation that would gradually raise the minimum wage to $15 by 2025, passed in the House of Representatives. According to the Economic Policy Institute, gradually raising the minimum wage to $15 would increase wages for up to 33 million people. Once fully phased in, this translates into an annual pay increase of about $2,760 for the average affected year-round worker.
The Raise the Wage Act of 2019 would:
- Gradually raise the federal minimum wage from $7.25 to $15 by 2025;
- Index future increases in the federal minimum wage to median wage growth to ensure the value of minimum wage does not once again erode over time;
- Guarantee tipped workers are paid at least the full federal minimum wage by phasing out the subminimum wage for tipped workers, which will ensure consistent, livable pay without eliminating tips;
- Guarantee teen workers are paid at least the full federal minimum wage by phasing out the rarely used subminimum wage for youth workers; and end subminimum wage certificates for workers with disabilities to provide opportunities for workers with disabilities to be competitively employed and participate more.
