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Sanders, Ocasio-Cortez introduce $25 federal minimum wage bill backed by 100+ groups
The proposal would phase in the higher wage over several years and end subminimum pay for tipped workers, backers said.
On Tuesday, Congresswoman Delia Ramirez and Rep. Analilia Mejia introduced the Living Wage for All Act, legislation designed to raise the federal minimum wage to $25 per hour and eliminate subminimum wages for tipped workers.
Ramirez noted the federal minimum wage has remained stagnant at $7.25 since 2009, failing to keep pace with rising living expenses that force full-time employees to live in poverty.
One Fair Wage and the NAACP support the bill as advancing economic dignity; President Saru Jayaraman stated workers are organizing for $25 and $30 because "that is what it takes to live."
Illinois House Republican Leader Tony McCombie argues a federal increase harms small businesses, while economist Antoni warned that imposing an artificial price floor creates labor market surpluses he described as "unemployment."
Large employers would reach the $25 threshold by 2031, with smaller firms phasing in by 2038 to mitigate economic impact, aligning with One Fair Wage's broader campaign to end subminimum pay in 25 states by 2026.