Rep. Rush Votes To Give Americas Working Families A Pay Raise

Washington, D.C. Yesterday, Rep. Bobby L. Rush voted for bipartisan legislation increasing 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 this afternoon by a vote of 315 to 116.

The critical needs of Americas working families have been ignored for far too long, said Rep. Rush. That is why 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, Rep. Rush commented. A pay raise for 13 million workers nationwide. It is wrong to have millions of Americans working full-time and year-round and still living in poverty. 

The H.R. 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 per 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 Rep. Rush. Our action today will make a real difference in the lives of Americas working families.