We did it! Minimum wage hike passes House resoundingly

by   |  January 11, 2007

Yesterday, for the first time in more than 10 years, in the first hours of business of the 110th Congress and with Democrats back at the helm, the House passed a federal minimum wage increase. As stated by Representative Robert Andrews (D-NJ), “This is the day for the people who empty the bedpans, change the bed linens, sweep the floors and do the hardest work of America.” Amen. The House of Representatives passed H.R. 2, legislation increasing the federal minimum wage from $5.15 to $7.25 per hour, by a vote of 315-116. After years of ignoring the plight of the working class and leaving a stagnant minimum wage intact, Congress is doing something for working people. According the Economic Policy Institute, the increase could benefit as many as 15 million low-wage workers. Thousands of messages from AFSCME e-Activists helped make this happen. This issue now goes to the Senate. Shortly before the House vote, the Senate was urged by the AFL-CIO, House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-MD) and others to reject business tax cut giveaways and pass a clean minimum wage bill. Hear, hear!