PA Senior Senator Cosponsors Raise The Wage Act
Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) is announcing his cosponsorship of legislation that aims to give working Americans a fair shot. Specifically, the Raise the Wage Act would raise the federal minimum wage to $15.00 by 2024 and eliminate subminimum wages for young workers and workers with disabilities.
“For far too long working families have gotten the short end of the stick,” said Senator Casey. “I’m proud to join my colleagues in the fight to ensure economic stability for all working Americans by raising wages and eliminating loopholes that target young workers and individuals with disabilities. I urge Leader McConnell to schedule a vote on this important legislation so that we can start on the path to an America that works for all individuals, not just the super-wealthy and special interests.”
The Raise the Wage Act of 2019 would:
- Gradually raise the federal minimum wage from $7.25 to $15.00 over the next six years to lift the wages of tens of millions workers, stimulate local economies and restore the value of the minimum wage;
- Index future increases in the federal minimum wage to median wage growth to ensure the value of minimum wage does not again erode over time;
- Guarantee teen workers are paid at least the full federal minimum wage by repealing the rarely used subminimum wage for youth workers; and
- End subminimum wage certificates for individuals with disabilities to provide opportunities for individuals with disabilities to be competitively employed, taxpaying citizens and participate more fully in their communities.
Endorsements: The bill is endorsed by 300+ groups including AFL-CIO, AFSCME, SEIU, UAW and the United Steelworkers.
If you are currently working for minimum wage and would like to share your story, please do so here: https://www.casey.senate.gov/minimum-wage-stories
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