Minimum Wage

Source: Campaign for America's Future

"Democrats are saying to the Speaker, 'Mr. Speaker, until there is an increase in the minimum wage, we will not support any raise in congressional salaries." - Rep. Nancy Pelosi, June 28, 2006 ¹

The Promise

The new Democratic majority has promised to raise the minimum wage.

The Problem

Adjusted for inflation, the minimum wage is at its lowest level in 50 years. ²

Workers earning the minimum wage will only make $10,700 over the next year, $4,367 under the poverty threshold for a family of three. ³
Democrats proposed to raise the minimum wage at least 17 times.
Real family income has steadily dropped since 2001. ⁴

Opponents argue that an increase in wages for workers results in a decrease demand for their labor, ending in lost jobs and hurting the economy. Democrats reject this conclusion, and many business owners admit that a raise in the minimum wage is "the right thing to do."

Experience shows that raising the minimum wage increases wages without reducing jobs. ⁵

The People

The American people need a raise. A Newsweek poll found 68% of Americans believed "Increasing the minimum wage" should be one of the top priorities for the new Democratic Congress over the next two years. ⁶

According to the Economic Policy Institute, at least 14.9 million workers will receive a raise and 7.3 million children will benefit as well. ⁷
29 states and the District of Columbia have a higher minimum wage than nationally mandated. ⁸
6 out of 6 states with ballot initiatives on minimum wages voted to increase their state's minimum wage in the 2006 midterm elections.