It’s been more than a decade

It's been more than a decade since Congress raised the minimum wage to $7.25 an hour. So we're taking action.

Dear Pamela, It has been more than a decade since Congress increased the minimum wage, the longest stretch since it was first established in 1938. Just take a moment to think about what $7.25 an hour means. It means a worker who works a full-time job earns a total of $15,000 a year. You can't feed your family and pay rent on $15,000 a year — not to mention so many other expenses or even thinking about saving up. That's why the House passed the Raise the Wage Act last session. But now that we have a Democratic White House and a Democratic Senate, we can finish what we started and finally sign a $15 minimum wage into law. Will you add your name now to become a citizen co-sponsor of the Raise the Wage Act? Your voice can make a powerful difference in our fight to ensure a living wage for every American worker. ADD YOUR NAME Long before coming to Congress, I was an organizer — for immigrant, civil, and human rights; for economic, racial, and gender justice. For years, I organized alongside working people and labor unions throughout Washington to fight for a minimum wage that is a living wage. In 2014, when a $15 minimum wage was still considered "radical," I was appointed to serve on the committee that helped draft Seattle's $15 minimum wage plan. Just months later, it became law — making my community the first major city in America to pass a $15 minimum wage. And guess what happened in the years that followed? Families and the economy thrived — so it's no wonder cities and states across this country followed our lead. Twenty states just raised their minimum wage going into 2021 — including Florida, while voting for Donald Trump. But the city and state you live in should NOT determine whether or not you can make a living wage. That's why we need to pass the Raise the Wage Act right now, so no worker has to choose between paying the rent or putting food on the table. Pamela, will you become a citizen co-sponsor in support of the Raise the Wage Act? Add your name now. In solidarity, Pramila Japayal Chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus and U.S. Representative for Washington's 7th congressional district PAID FOR BY Pramila for Congress. Does not equal endorsement. Sent via ActionNetwork.org. To update your email address, change your name or address, or to stop receiving emails from Progress America, please click here.