Moore Comments On Minimum Wage Hike To Take Effect July 24

Press Release

July 24, the national minimum wage will increase from $6.55 per hour to $7.25 per hour, which will help millions of Americans who are struggling to make ends meet during this economic downturn. Congresswoman Gwen Moore (D-Wisc.) made the following comments regarding the wage hike, which is the final of three increases to take effect under legislation she helped to pass in 2007, the Fair Minimum Wage Act. Since that bill passed, the minimum wage has increased incrementally from $5.15 per hour to $7.25 per hour.

"Tomorrow, millions of hardworking Americans will be getting a raise and the economy will get a much-needed boost," Congresswoman Moore said. "Americans who rely on minimum wage paychecks are barely scraping by on less than $7 dollars an hour - and if they are working full time, they are earning far less than $20,000 a year. In fact, half of these people live with families whose total combined income is less than $35,000 a year. We all know that doesn't go very far.

"These hardworking Americans deserve better. As executives on Wall Street gripe about losing their big money bonuses, we have 100,000 people in Wisconsin alone whose paychecks will increase because of this minimum wage hike. Another 96,000 in Wisconsin will benefit indirectly from extra money circulating through the economy and increased consumer spending. Children will benefit as their parent's wages increase and they can buy groceries, fill their gas thanks and get their kids ready to go back to school.

"Increasing the minimum wage was one of the first orders of business when Democrats took control of Congress in 2007, and making sure that hardworking Americans can make ends meet, access health care and get a good education remains one of my top priorities."

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