Defender Network - Rep. Green Proposes Law to Raise Minimum Wage

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Texas Congressman Al Green recently introduced the Original Living American Wage (LAW) Act of 2014 in the House of Representatives that would cause the federal minimum wage to be adjusted every four years. If passed, this legislation would cause the national minimum wage to be increased from $7.25 to approximately $13.

"The Original Living American Wage Act will accelerate the growth of our economy and provide greater opportunity as well as prosperity for all Americans, not just the privileged few," said Green.

According to an October 2013 U.C. Berkeley Labor Center study, the cost of public assistance to families in the fast food industry alone is about $7 billion a year. The study further concluded that 63 percent of public benefits spending goes to families with a working member.

If the legislation is approved, a person working full-time may earn an annual income at least 15 percent higher than the federal poverty threshold for a family of four.

"We have 47 million Americans living in poverty, separated from the opportunities of this country by their income. A full-time, minimum-wage worker caring for a family of four earns $7.25 an hour ($15,080 a year) well below the federal poverty threshold of $23,850 for a family of four," said Green. "This means that this full-time minimum-wage worker cannot support his/her family above the poverty threshold without some assistance."

"No one should work full-time and live below the line. Many Americans do. Americans don't want welfare, they want self-care. It is time to "Raise the Wage,'" he concluded.

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