U.S. Congressman James E. Clyburn Praises Passage of the Raise the Wage Act

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Congressman James E. Clyburn hailed House passage of legislation to raise the minimum wage for the first time since 2009.  The Raise the Wage Act would gradually increase the federal minimum wage from $7.25 to $15 over six years. According to independent economic analysis, the bill would increase pay for up to 33 million American workers, including 118,800 workers in South Carolina’s 6^th Congressional District. 

“All American workers deserve to earn a livable wage that will provide the basic necessities for themselves and their families,” Congressman Clyburn said. “In my district, this landmark legislation would increase the earnings of a full-time minimum wage worker by $3,900 annually lifting many households out of poverty.”

According to the Congressional Budget Office, this legislation would lift 1.3 million Americans out of poverty, including 600,000 children.

An additional provision in the bill would 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. It would also guarantee that tipped 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.