First Vote to Raise Federal Minimum Wage in Over a Decade Passes; Norcross Votes YES After Years Pushing for Action

Press Release

Today, U.S. Congressman Donald Norcross -- a former minimum-wage worker -- voted in favor of the Raise the Wage Act, of which he is a lead sponsor, in the House Committee on Education and Labor. This marked the first vote in more than a decade to raise the federal minimum wage.

"Finally. That's the only word to describe what is happening in the House of Representatives. We have finally voted for the first time in more than a decade to lift fulltime working Americans out of poverty," said Congressman Norcross, an electrician by trade. "I've worked for minimum wage and I was once a young single dad raising my son and having to balance work, family life and a checkbook. Back then it was hard. Today, for far too many Americans, it's nearly impossible. When people finally receive $15 an hour, they'll spend more, become less reliant on government assistance and give our economy a needed boost."

New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy, Senate President Steve Sweeney and Speaker Craig Coughlin joined Norcross for their first public appearance together in November 2017 calling for a $15 an hour minimum wage. Now, that promise has become a reality in the state. Additionally, when Norcross was a member of the New Jersey state legislature, he was part of the successful fight to raise the minimum wage in New Jersey.

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