Beatty Backs Landmark Legislation Providing Pay Raise to Hardworking Americans

Statement

The House Democratic majority passed historic legislation today to give tens of millions of Americans a raise by increasing the minimum wage to $15 by 2025. Following the vote on the Raise the Wage Act, H.R. 582, U.S. Congresswoman Joyce Beatty (OH-03) said:

"I proudly voted today to provide a much-needed and meaningful pay raise to more than 27 million hardworking Americans, including 40 percent of my constituents. Our country is enjoying a historic, decade-long period of economic growth, yet there are still too many Central Ohio workers and families being left behind--and many more families working two or even three jobs just to keep their heads above water. The Raise the Wage Act will make a real difference in their lives by putting more money in their pockets and ensuring that the federal minimum wage remains a livable wage for years to come.

Not only will the bill provide an average $3,200 pay bump to affected workers in Ohio's Third Congressional District and beyond, it will also lift over one million American workers--including 600,000 children--out of poverty and generate an additional $120 billion in wage growth for our economy.

The Raise the Wage Act is a win-win "For the People' and for families everywhere."

Currently, one in nine U.S. workers are paid wages that leave them trapped in poverty, even though they are working full-time and year-round. The Raise the Wage Act would restore the value of work in our economy and lift struggling workers and their families out of poverty. Highlights include:

Gradually raising the minimum wage from $7.25 to $15 by 2025.

Indexing future increases to median wage growth to protect against wage erosion.

Ending subminimum wage certificates for workers with disabilities.

The Raise the Wage Act is pending further consideration in the U.S. Senate.

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