Congressman Ellison's Statement About the Minimum Wage Increase

Press Release

Congressman Ellison's Statement About the Minimum Wage Increase

Congressman Keith Ellison joined with his U.S. House and Senate colleagues today to celebrate the first increase in the federal minimum wage in 10 years. "This minimum wage increase is long overdue and I am proud that we were able to make this a reality," Congressman Ellison said.

"Accomplishing this will go a long way for Americans struggling to live on the income from a minimum wage job -- or two, or three. It also shows the commitment that we have to working families that will undoubtedly directly or indirectly benefit from this increase. It was unconscionable for the Republican majority to not act on this issue in the face of skyrocketing costs of healthcare, housing and transportation over the past decade. Today, the new Democratic majority has taken the first step to provide greater opportunity and prosperity for all Americans, not just the privileged few."

July 24th, 2007 is the first day of the minimum wage increase, raising the rate from $5.15 to $5.80 an hour. There will be similar $.70 an hour increases in both July 2008 and July 2009 - a total increase of $2.10. A full-time minimum wage worker could see his or her income increase by $4,400 by the year 2009.

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