WASHINGTON – Today, Representative Chrissy Houlahan (D-PA) co-sponsored the Raise the Wage Act of 2021. The legislation will phase in an increase to the minimum wage to $15/hr by 2025, which will give nearly 32 million Americans and nearly 100,000 Pennsylvanians right here in our community a raise. Rep. Houlahan also sponsored this legislation in her first term and has backed the provision in President Biden’s American Rescue Plan.

“Too many Pennsylvanians work full-time jobs and still struggle to provide for themselves and their families,” said Houlahan. “That is not an economy that works for everyone. In our community of Chester and Berks counties, the living wage for a family of four is already above $15/hr. The Raise the Wage Act is about treating our workers with dignity and providing them the necessary resources to thrive in our Commonwealth. This legislation 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. As we work to rebuild our economy that has been decimated by this crisis, we need to be doing so in a manner that is consistent with our values as a community, Commonwealth and country. That means paying every worker a living wage.”

The Raise the Wage Act of 2021 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 decent, consistent 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
• 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 represents 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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