Civil and Human Rights Coalition Backs New Minimum Wage Bill

WASHINGTON – Nancy Zirkin, executive vice president of The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, issued the following statement on today’s bicameral introduction of the Raise the Wage Act, which would raise the minimum wage and index it to inflation:

“Passage of the Raise the Wage Act would improve the standard of living for millions of hardworking Americans, contribute to long-term prosperity, and expand our economy for the benefit of all. Economists project that this proposal would increase wages for nearly 38 million Americans and pump billions of dollars into our economy.

The Raise the Wage Act would increase the current federal minimum wage of $7.25 to $12 by 2020, adjust it each year to keep up with the rising cost of living, and phase out the sub-minimum wage for tipped workers. Today’s unconscionably low minimum wage is far from enough to support a family’s most basic needs, and raising the minimum wage is popular and fair. CEOs and many salaried workers receive regular cost of living increases, and so should people who most need every dollar they earn.

African Americans, Latinos, and women are all disproportionately represented in minimum wage jobs. The Raise the Wage Act would give needed raises to 32 percent of women, 37 percent of African Americans, and 40 percent of Latinos in our workforce.

We applaud Senator Murray and Representative Scott and all of the original co-sponsors of this important legislation for taking this critical step forward in addressing our national crisis of wage stagnation and income inequality. Voters in many states have approved ballot initiatives—by wide margins—to raise their state minimum wages. Congress must follow their example and give Americans the long-overdue raise they deserve.”

Nancy Zirkin is the executive vice  president of The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, a coalition charged by its diverse membership of more than 200 national organizations to promote and protect the rights of all persons in the United States. The Leadership Conference works toward an America as good as its ideals. For more information on The Leadership Conference, visit www.civilrights.org.