U.S. Senator Bob Casey, a democrat from Pennsylvania, is adding his support to raise the federal minimum wage to $15 an hour by the year 2024.
Casey announced Tuesday his co-sponsorship of the legislation, which he says aims to give working Americans a fair shot.
“For far too long working families have gotten the short end of the stick,” Sen. Casey said. “I’m proud to join my colleagues in the fight to ensure economic stability for all working Americans by raising wages and eliminating loopholes that target young workers and individuals with disabilities. I urge Leader McConnell to schedule a vote on this important legislation so that we can start on the path to an America that works for all individuals, not just the super-wealthy and special interests.”
The bill is already backed by 30 fellow Democrats. It is written by U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont.
Pennsylvania’s other senator- Republican Pat Toomey- has long voted against bills to raise the minimum wage. According to the Associated Press, Toomey’s office said Tuesday that states are free to make their own decisions on minimum wages and that Toomey does not believe the federal government should impose policies “which destroy existing jobs, and prevent the creation of new jobs.”
According to Sen. Casey, the Raise the Wage Act of 2019 would:
- Gradually raise the federal minimum wage from $7.25 to $15.00 over the next six years to lift the wages of tens of millions workers, stimulate local economies and restore the value of the minimum wage;
- Index future increases in the federal minimum wage to median wage growth to ensure the value of minimum wage does not again erode over time;
- Guarantee teen workers are paid at least the full federal minimum wage by repealing the rarely used subminimum wage for youth workers; and
- End subminimum wage certificates for individuals with disabilities to provide opportunities for individuals with disabilities to be competitively employed, taxpaying citizens and participate more fully in their communities.
Pennsylvania is one of 20 states that remain at the $7.25 minimum.
