July 16, 2019 - Issue: Vol. 165, No. 119 — Daily Edition116th Congress (2019 - 2020) - 1st Session

[Pages H5832-H5833]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                           RAISE THE WAGE ACT

  (Mrs. CAROLYN B. MALONEY of New York asked and was given permission 
to address the House for 1 minute.)
  Mrs. CAROLYN B. MALONEY of New York. Mr. Speaker, this week, the

[[Page H5833]]

House will raise the wages of 40 million Americans.
  It has been 10 years--10 years--since the Federal minimum wage has 
been increased. It has been stuck at $7.25 since July 24, 2009. During 
that time, the cost of living has gone up 18 percent.
  Today, a full-time worker earning the minimum wage working year-round 
without even a week's vacation, they earn only $1,250 a month, or 
$15,000 a year. It is far below the monthly expenses for the average 
family of $3,000, which is what the monthly expenses are.
  A new report from the Joint Economic Committee on which I serve as 
vice chair shows that today's minimum wage doesn't even cover the cost 
of housing for the typical American family. The minimum wage is far 
from a living wage.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support the Raise the Wage Act 
and increase it to $15 by 2024.

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