Kaine Introduces Legislation To Raise The Minimum Wage

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Tim Kaine joined U.S. Senator Patty Murray and 31 of their Senate colleagues in introducing the Raise the Wage Act, legislation that would raise the federal minimum wage to $12 by 2020 and help expand economic opportunity for hardworking families. Beginning in 2020, the minimum wage would be indexed to median wages. Raising the federal minimum wage would directly raise the wages of approximately 786,000 Virginians.

“No one who works full time should live in poverty,” said Kaine. “This incremental increase in the minimum wage will be substantial enough to lift a family of four out of poverty and will be gradual enough for employers to plan ahead. I’m proud to introduce this legislation because raising the minimum wage is an important tool to help hardworking Americans get a fair shot at moving on up the economic ladder.”

Congressman Bobby Scott of Virginia introduced companion legislation in the House of Representatives today.

Joining Kaine in introducing the Raise the Wage Act in the Senate are Senators Patty Murray, Dick Durbin, Barbara Mikulski, Barbara Boxer, Richard Blumenthal, Ed Markey, Bob Casey, Chris Murphy, Debbie Stabenow, Sherrod Brown, Gary Peters, Chuck Schumer, Patrick Leahy, Jeanne Shaheen, Harry Reid, Brian Schatz, Martin Heinrich, Ron Wyden, Cory Booker, Jeff Merkley, Mazie Hirono, Jack Reed, Al Franken, Kirsten Gillibrand, Ben Cardin, Maria Cantwell, Elizabeth Warren, Tom Udall, Tammy Baldwin, Dianne Feinstein, Sheldon Whitehouse and Amy Klobuchar.

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