WASHINGTON – Today, Representatives Chrissy Houlahan (D-PA) helped pass the Raise the Wage Act of 2019, which she also cosponsored. The legislation will phase in an increase to the minimum wage to $15/hr by 2025, which will give more than 33 million Americans and nearly 100,000 Pennsylvanians in our community a raise. The bill passed the House 231-199.

“In our community of Chester and Berks counties, the living wage for a family of four is already above $15,” said Houlahan. “No person working full time should struggle to provide for themselves or their families. The Raise the Wage Act is about treating our workers with dignity and providing them the necessary resources to thrive in our Commonwealth. This bill also includes a proactive analysis of how the phased-in wage increase is affecting both our workers and our small businesses to ensure that Americans everywhere are benefiting. I voted to raise the minimum wage for the hardworking people struggling to make ends meet in our community. With this legislation, we’re starting to do right by those hardworking Pennsylvanians.”

The Raise the Wage Act of 2019 would:

*Gradually raise the federal minimum wage from $7.25 to $15 by 2025

*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

*Guarantee tipped workers are paid at least the full federal minimum wage by phasing out the subminimum wage for tipped workers, which will ensure consistent, livable pay without eliminating tips

*Guarantee teen workers are paid at least the full federal minimum wage by phasing out the rarely used subminimum wage for youth workers

*Boost the economy. By putting money in the pockets of workers and their families, they will spend that money in local businesses. Even after a modest minimum wage increase of just $1, spending in households with minimum wage workers increased, on average, at least $700 per quarter, according to economic research.

*End subminimum wage certificates for workers with disabilities to provide opportunities for workers with disabilities to be competitively employed and participate more fully in their communities

Houlahan is an Air Force veteran, an engineer, a serial entrepreneur, an educator, and a nonprofit leader. She’s in her first term representing Pennsylvania’s 6th Congressional District, which encompasses Chester County and southern Berks County. She serves on the House Armed Services Committee, the House Foreign Affairs Committee, and the House Small Business Committee.

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