Rep. Adams, Democrats Introduce Raise the Wage Act of 2021

Press Release

Today, Congresswoman Alma S. Adams, Ph.D. (NC-12) and other Democratic leaders introduced the Raise the Wage Act of 2021, which would gradually raise the federal minimum wage to $15 by 2025. As an original cosponsor of the bill, she is joined by Chairman Robert C. "Bobby" Scott (VA-03), Rep. Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), and Rep. Stephanie Murphy (FL-07). Congress has not increased the federal minimum wage in over a decade, making this the longest stretch without an increase since the minimum wage was first established back in 1938.

"It is long past time to raise the wage in North Carolina, and across the country," said Rep. Adams. "The federal minimum wage has been held hostage at $7.25 for almost twelve years, but you can't survive on seven twenty-five, especially not during a pandemic. I am proud to be an original cosponsor of the Raise the Wage Act of 2021, which would raise the federal minimum wage to $15 by the year 2025. America's essential workers deserve a wage that reflects the value of their work."

In 2006, as a Member of the North Carolina House of Representatives, Adams was able to successfully pass a one-dollar-an-hour increase in North Carolina's minimum wage, which lifted the wages of over 100,000 workers state-wide.

"Even before the COVID-19 pandemic, the $7.25 federal minimum wage was economically and morally indefensible. Now, the pandemic is highlighting the gross imbalance between the productivity of our nation's workers and the wages they are paid. Many of the essential workers who have braved a public health crisis to keep food on the table and care for our loved ones are still not being paid enough to provide for themselves or their families. Today, a full-time worker cannot afford a modest, two-bedroom apartment in any country in the U.S.," said Chairman Scott. "Around the country, Americans across the political spectrum have repeatedly supported raising the minimum wage. In November, more than 60 percent of voters in Florida voted to increase the state minimum wage. The Raise the Wage Act is a critical step toward lifting hardworking people out of poverty, addressing income inequality, and building back a better economy where everyone can succeed."

According to an independent analysis conducted by the Economic Policy Institute, the Raise the Wage Act would increase wages for nearly 32 million Americans, including roughly a third of all Black workers and a quarter of all Latino workers. More than half of those who would benefit would be women.

Congresswoman Alma Adams represents North Carolina's 12th Congressional District (Charlotte, Mecklenburg County). She serves on the House Committee on Education and Labor, the House Agriculture Committee, and the House Financial Services Committee in the 117th Congress.

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