REP. ADRIANO ESPAILLAT AND 180 DEMOCRATS UNVEIL THE RAISE THE WAGE ACT OF 2019

Washington, D.C. - January 23, 2019 - (The Ponder News) -- Rep. Adriano Espaillat (NY-13) joined 180 Democrats in unveiling the Raise the Wage Act of 2019. The bill would gradually raise the minimum wage to $15 by 2024, index future minimum wage increases to median wage growth, and ensure all workers are paid at least the full federal minimum wage by phasing out the subminimum wages for tipped workers, youth workers, and workers with disabilities.

“American workers are overdue for a raise,” said Rep. Adriano Espaillat (NY-13). “Gradually raising the minimum wage to $15 by 2024 nationwide will be good for workers, good for businesses, and good for the economy. I am proud to stand with my Democratic colleagues to support this proposal that would put money in the pockets of 40 million hardworking Americans and support local economies and the economic growth of our nation.”

Currently, there is no place in America where a full-time worker can make the $7.25 federal minimum wage and afford the basic essentials. The federal minimum wage has not been raised in nearly a decade. This year, the minimum wage in New York City increased to $15 for businesses with more than 10 employees.

According to a 2016 Gallup poll, 58% of Americans support increasing the minimum wage to $15.

The Raise the Wage Act would gradually raise the federal minimum wage from $7.25 to $15 over the next six years to lift millions of workers out of poverty, stimulate local economies, and restore the value of minimum wage; index future increases in the federal minimum wage to median wage growth to ensure the value of minimum wage does not once again erode over time; and, guarantee tipped workers are paid at least the full federal minimum wage by repealing the subminimum wage for tipped workers, which will ensure consistent, livable pay.

Additionally, the bill would 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.

BECOME A CO-SIGNER OF THE “RAISE THE WAGE ACT OF 2019.”

To read the bill text of the Raise the Wage Act, click here.

To read the section-by-section of the Raise the Wage Act, click here.

To read a fact sheet on Raise the Wage Act, click here.

American Health Care Act, Protestors, Biodefense, Food Stamps, Minimum Wage, Social Security, Veterans, Everglades

Davidson Statement on Updated CBO Score for AHCA
Warren Davidson (R-OH, 8th)
May 25, 2017
Rep. Warren Davidson (R-OH) released the following statement in response to the Congressional Budget Office's (CBO’s) updated score of the American Health Care Act (AHCA): “The CBO only confirms that the AHCA’s entitlement reforms will reduce the deficit and its regulatory reforms will lower premiums. This updated score shows that the amendments added to the original bill will cause premiums to decrease potentially up to 30% in states that take advantage of the new waiver authority granted by the MacArthur Amendment. The Senate needs to act on this legislation as soon as possible so the American people can get relief from the rising costs of Obamacare.”
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Davis Urges Expulsion of Turkish Personnel Who Assaulted Peaceful American Protesters
Rodney Davis (R-IL, 13th)
May 26, 2017
U.S. Rep. Rodney Davis (R-Ill.) sent a letter, along with several of his colleagues, to the Department of Justice and Department of State urging the immediate expulsion of Turkish personnel who physically assaulted Americans peacefully protesting President Tayyip Erdogan. The assault that took place on May 16, 2017 outside the Turkish ambassador’s residence in Washington, D.C. resulted in several protestors being sent to the hospital.
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DeGette: CBO Score Shows Trumpcare Bill is Ill-Advised, Full of Broken Promises
Diana DeGette (D-CO, 1st)
May 24, 2017
“Trumpcare is bad news for a lot of people, as the CBO has shown yet again,” DeGette said. “If this bill becomes law, it will ration care and put insurance companies back in charge. Millions of people will lose their coverage while the cost for others will go up – including those covered through employer plans. People can expect higher premiums and out-of-pocket costs for skimpy coverage that in many cases won’t include essential services such as maternity care and treatment for mental health and substance abuse. And those over age 50 will pay even more – that is, if they can afford the age tax that this plan would impose."
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Delaney Statement on Potential Closing of National Biodefense Analysis and Countermeasures Center in Frederick
John Delaney (D-MD, 6th)
May 26, 2017
President Trump’s fiscal year 2018 budget, released this week, zeroes out funding for the National Biodefense Analysis and Countermeasures Center (NBACC) in Frederick, Maryland and calls for its closure. The NBACC is operated by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and is a one-of-a-kind facility dedicated to defending the United States against biological threats. The NBACC supports preparedness planning, intelligence assessments and bio-forensic analysis. The lab often assists the FBI in investigating bioterrorism and bio-crime and employs over 180 people.
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DeLauro Calls out Trump Administration for Decimating the SNAP Program
Rosa L. DeLauro (D-CT, 3rd)
May 24, 2017
Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (CT-03) today pressed Sonny Perdue, Secretary of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, to discuss how the Trump Administration’s budget will deeply affect the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), also known as food stamps. The Administration has proposed changes that would cut SNAP by $193 billion—more than 25 percent of the program total. DeLauro is a senior member on the Appropriations subcommittee responsible for funding the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Click here to watch the full remarks.

DelBene Joins Sen. Murray in Calling for Federal Minimum Wage Increase
Suzan Delbene (D-WA, 1st)
May 25, 2017
“Strong economic growth can only be achieved when all working families have the opportunity to succeed,” DelBene said. “To build an economy that works for everyone, we need to ensure Americans working a 40-hour week aren’t living below the poverty line. Congress should raise the federal minimum wage to restore the middle class and help families thrive.”
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CONGRESSWOMAN VAL DEMINGS RESPONDS TO THE PASSAGE OF THE SOCIAL SECURITY FRAUD PREVENTION ACT
Val Demings (D-FL, 10th)
May 24, 2017
Congresswoman Val Demings, Florida’s 10th Congressional District, is excited to announce the passage of H.R. 628, the Social Security Fraud Prevention Act of 2017, which she was an original Co-Sponsor of. It will prohibit federal departments and agencies from including the social security account numbers of any individuals on any document sent by mail unless the department or agency head determines that the inclusion of such numbers on a document is necessary.
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Dent Votes to Increase Quality, Expediency of Veterans’ Services
Charles W. Dent (R-PA, 15th)
MAY 26 2017
“These pro-veteran initiatives show that the members of the House from both parties have a sincere desire to ensure that our veterans receive the quality care and attention that they deserve,” Dent said. “We must never grow complacent in our continuing efforts to make necessary reforms to the VA and fulfill the promises that our nation has made to our veterans. The innumerable sacrifices and the selfless dedication exemplified by the men and women in our armed forces can and should be met with a firm commitment to providing them with the highest standards of care and service. In my role as Chairman of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Military Construction, Veterans Affairs and Other Related Agencies (MILCON-VA), my goal has always been to advocate on behalf of the men and women in uniform back home in Pennsylvania’s 15th Congressional District, as well as those across the country. The passage of these bills this week marks an important step in that direction.”
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Everglades Caucus Co-Chairmen Hastings and Diaz-Balart Introduce Everglades for the Next Generation Act
Mario Diaz-Balart (R-FL, 25th)
May 25, 2017
“Protecting and restoring the Everglades is vital to the overall health of both South Florida’s ecosystem and economy,” said Congressman Hastings. “This bill works to restore this unique ecosystem by ensuring that as final planning for restoration projects is completed, these projects are authorized and brought on line as expeditiously as possible. I am proud to work with Congressman Diaz-Balart and Senator Nelson in ensuring that progress toward Everglades restoration continues as quickly as possible, and that this national treasure is protected for future generations.”
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