Today, Rep. Bennie Thompson voted to increase the paychecks of American workers by passing H.R. 582, the Raise The Wage Act, to gradually increase the federal minimum wage to $15 an hour by 2025 and restore the value of work in our economy by lifting struggling workers and their families out of poverty.
“This is the longest period in history without an increase in the minimum wage. Mississippians are working longer hours and still struggling to make ends meet,” said Rep. Thompson. “The federal minimum wage has not been raised since 2007. I am proud to join my Democratic colleagues to take this strong step to deliver on our For the People agenda and give working men and women across the country a well-deserved raise!”
The Raise The Wage Act will:
- Increase wages for up to 33 million American workers, including 47.2% of workers in MS-02 according to independent economic analysis from the Economic Policy Institute. Even the CBO’s more cautious estimate of a similar proposal indicated as many as 27 million workers would see a wage increase;
- Lift 1.3 million Americans out of poverty, including 600,000 children, according to the CBO’s review of a similar proposal; and
- Help secure fairness and equality for women, giving nearly 20 million working women a raise, and helping narrow the gender wage gap that disproportionately impacts women of color.
“Increasing the minimum wage is not only good for Mississippi workers, it is also good for Mississippi’s economy,” continued Rep. Thompson “The Raise The Wage Act will stimulate economic growth that benefits everyone, not just the wealthy few. While Republicans wrote their GOP Tax Scam for the Rich to benefit the wealthy and well-connected, I am laser-focused on growing the pay-checks of the hard-working men and women who are the backbone of our state and our nation.”
Congressman Bennie Thompson Press Release
7/25/2019
Sarah Ulmer
