MEMO: It's time to #RaiseTheWage

October 10, 2014
Blog Post

MEMORANDUM

To: Interested Parties

Fr: Democratic Leader's Press Office

Dt: October 10, 2014

Re: It's Time to #RaiseTheWage

Today marks National Minimum Wage Day – a day representing the fight for an increase of the minimum wage to $10.10. And in light of this day, let's take a look at some numbers and facts:

  • 25 million – the number of people who will see a pay raise in this legislation is enacted;
  • 600 – the number of prominent economists, including seven Nobel Prize winners, who stress that an increase could have a small stimulative effect on the economy;
  • 85,000– the number of jobs raising the minimum wage to $10.10 will create;
  • $32.6 billion – Total increased income that will fuel economic growth in communities across the country;
  • From 5 to 6 million people– the number of people who will be lifted out of poverty;
  • 1 million – the number of veterans who will benefit from a minimum wage increase;
  • 15 million working women – the number who will see a raise if the minimum wage is increased;
  • Over 70 percent– the percent of Americans that agree that we need a minimum wage increase now;
  • 195 – the number of House Democrats who've signed a discharge petition to force a vote on the Fair Minimum Wage Act.

It's no wonder dozens of editorials, the U.S. Conference of Mayors, an overwhelming majority of Americans, small businesses; and certain Republican officials – former Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty, former Presidential candidates Mitt Romney and Rick Santorum, and former Congressmembers Jack Quinn, Mike Castle, Steve LaTourette and Connie Morella – have all come out in support of increasing the minimum wage! Cities and states across the country are taking note. Since 2013, ten states and 13 city and county governments have raised their minimum wages. Today, 23 states and the District of Columbia have a minimum wage higher than the federal level.

Americans have had enough with the Republican obstructionism that has eight times blocked an increase in the minimum wage. Speaker Boehner should once and for all jumpstart the middle class and help American families, not just the wealthy and well-connected. He should call Congress back and bring the Fair Minimum Wage Act to the floor for a vote today. The need is urgent and the support is overwhelming.