America's Working Families Helped With Minimum Wage Increase

Today, the Democratic Congress passed a bipartisan measure to increase the minimum wage from $5.15 to $7.25 an hour. With 89 percent of Americans backing this measure to help our country's working families, President Bush and Republicans in Congress now have the opportunity to help millions of hard-working Americans and their families by supporting this legislation.

"By passing this critical and long overdue legislation, at least 13 million of America's workers are getting a hard earned raise and Democrats are fulfilling yet another campaign promise to the American people," said Democratic National Committee Press Secretary Stacie Paxton. "As the President talks tonight about the need to renew the Iraqi economy, we hope that he will make the same commitment here at home by signaling his intention to sign this key legislation. Democrats remain committed to a new direction for America that includes a return to fiscal responsibility and addressing the problems facing America's working families."

89 Percent Support Minimum Wage Hike. "Large majorities of Americans say they support the Democrats' legislative agenda" including raising the minimum wage. An increase in the minimum wage is supported by 89 percent of the American public according to a recent post-election poll done by Newsweek. [Newsweek, 11/11/06]

The Minimum Wage Has Not Been Increased In Nearly A Decade. The minimum wage has not increased in more than nine years - the longest period in the history of the law. During that time, Members of Congress have received a $31,600 pay raise. The real value of the minimum wage has plummeted to its lowest level in 51 years. [Economic Policy Institute, 6/06]

Raising The Minimum Wage Helps America's Working Families. Raising the minimum wage would provide 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. [Center for Budget and Policy Priorities, August 2006; Consumer Expenditures Survey, 2003-2004]

Minimum Wage Increase Has Widespread Bipartisan Support. The minimum wage increase has the support of a bipartisan majority in both the House and the Senate, with 64 House Republicans having voted for a $7.25 per hour minimum wage under a vocational education bill last July and a majority of Senators, including eight Republicans, having voted for the minimum wage increase last June. [Vote #366, motion to instruct on S.250, 7/12/06; Vote #179, amendment to S.2766, 6/21/06]