A matter of economic justice, racial equity, and gender equality.
All Marylanders deserve to make a living wage. Today we're one step closer to making that a reality. This week I joined my Democratic colleagues in introducing the Raise The Wage Act of 2021, which will gradually increase the federal minimum wage to $15 by 2025.
The last time our families saw an increase in the federal minimum wage was more than a decade ago, in 2009, which is the longest stretch in U.S. history.
At $7.25/hour, many families do not earn enough to pay for their basic needs let alone enough to save or plan for their future. This long-overdue legislation will guarantee that our tipped workers, youth workers, and workers with disabilities earn the full federal minimum wage.
Increasing the minimum wage is a matter of economic justice, racial equity, and gender equality. The pandemic has shown us just how integral a role our low-wage workers play in our economy. Despite the essential nature of the services they provide, they remain some of the lowest-paid and have been hardest hit by job losses and reduced hours as a result of the pandemic.
Women and people of color are overrepresented in these low wage jobs. Raising the minimum wage is key to help lift disenfranchised communities out of poverty and will make inroads towards breaking the cycles of debt and financial insecurity that contribute to the race and gender wealth gap.
A $15 minimum wage will boost paychecks, stimulate our economy and make it easier for hard-working Marylanders to live dignified lives and build better futures for their children.
I look forward to voting for the legislation when it comes up for a vote on the House Floor.
Sincerely,
Kweisi Mfume
Member of Congress