Rep. Delgado Votes to Pass Raise the Wage Act

Statement

Today, Rep. Antonio Delgado (NY-19) voted to pass the Raise the Wage Act, legislation to gradually increase the federal minimum wage to $15 over six years. According to independent economic analysis, the bill would increase pay for up to 33 million American workers, including over 80,000 workers in NY-19. The legislation also includes provisions that exempt family farms.

"Every American deserves to be paid a living wage that can support them and their family. Today, I joined my colleagues to raise the minimum wage and raise wages for 80,000 workers in New York's 19th District. I'm glad this bill takes a thoughtful approach with commonsense provisions including a gradual on-ramp for small businesses to raise their minimum wage and critical exemptions for family farms and other agricultural workers," said Rep. Delgado.

According to the Congressional Budget Office's review of a similar proposal, the Raise the Wage Act would lift 1.3 million Americans out of poverty, including 600,000 children. The Raise the Wage Act of 2019 would:

Gradually raise the federal minimum wage from $7.25 to $15 over the next six years, lifting millions of workers out of poverty, stimulating local economies, and restoring the value of minimum wage; Index future increases in the federal minimum wage to median wage growth to ensure the value of minimum wage does not once again erode over time;

Guarantee tipped workers, youth workers, and workers with disabilities are paid at least the full federal minimum wage by phasing out the subminimum wages that allow these workers to be paid below $7.25 an hour.

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