Press Releases

Today, Committee Democrats held a markup on H.R. 582, the Raise the Wage Act. If enacted, this legislation to more than double the federal minimum wage to $15 an hour will result in millions of job losses for vulnerable Americans, small business closures, and significant losses to the U.S. economy.

During the markup, Republican Leader Virginia Foxx (R-NC) said:

“H.R. 582 will hammer small businesses and mom and pop shops. It will push hundreds of thousands of able-bodied, talented individuals out of the workforce over the next decade. It will result in millions of jobs being eliminated for vulnerable members of the workforce like single working moms, workers without a high school diploma, and entry-level employees.”

During debate, Rep. Tim Walberg (R-MI) stated:

“Republicans recognized that tax reform and regulatory relief would unleash historic economic growth, and it has. This legislation is a calculated move in the opposite direction of tangible, widespread economic progress for Americans in every community in this country. That’s why we should oppose it and get back to work that actually helps the people we represent.”

The consequences of raising the minimum wage to $15 an hour are not hypothetical. Hear Simone Barron, Heidi Mann, and Joshua Chaisson share how a mandated $15 an hour minimum wage has directly disrupted their livelihoods.

A strong economic policy is the very best way to create new jobs and higher wages for the American people. Unemployment is near historic lows, the job market continues to add millions of jobs, and wages are growing thanks to the Republican Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. Instead of imposing a federal mandate that will do far more harm than good, Committee on Education and Labor Republicans are deeply committed to continuing this incredible progress and expanding economic opportunity for all Americans.

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