Udall, Heinrich Introduce Raise the Wage Act

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Sens. Tom Udall and Martin Heinrich announced that they have joined several of their colleagues to introduce the Raise the Wage Act, legislation that would increase the minimum wage to $12 by 2020. The Raise the Wage Act would also index the federal minimum wage to the median wage, raising wages for nearly 38 million American workers.

"The minimum wage was supposed to be a floor to ensure Americans receive fair wages for hard work. But today, thousands of New Mexicans are struggling to support their families on the minimum wage. The wage has not kept up with inflation, and it’s holding back New Mexico families and our economy," Udall said. "Under our bill more than 250,000 New Mexico workers will get a raise. That will benefit nearly 150,000 children, helping ensure their parents can put food on the table and pay the bills."

"No one who works hard in a full-time job should have to live in poverty. Yet far too many New Mexicans are struggling to make ends meet. Raising the minimum wage is critical to working families and will contribute to improving our state's economy," Heinrich said. "The $12 by 2020 bill will increase wages for an estimated 250,000 workers in New Mexico. Those workers and their families will have more money in their pockets to contribute to the local economy. It’s time we give families a fair shot to get ahead and raise the federal minimum wage."

The Raise the Wage Act was introduced by U.S. Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.) and has 32 Senate cosponsors. The bill was also introduced in the House by U.S. Rep. Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (D-Va.) and has 160 House cosponsors.