Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) is urging Congress to raise the federal minimum wage to at least $20 per hour.
On Thursday, Sanders wrote on X that Americans “can no longer tolerate a rigged economy”, allowing one person to become a trillionaire while the minimum wage remains $7.25 per hour.
He said the federal wage floor has been unchanged for 17 years and called for congressional action after Democrats regain control of Congress.
“No more excuses,” Sanders wrote, framing the proposal as a response to widening economic inequality and stagnant federal pay standards.
Federal Minimum Wage Debate Intensifies
While the federal minimum wage remains $7.25 per hour, California is scheduled to raise its statewide minimum wage from $16.90 to $17.40 on Jan. 1, 2027, based on an August announcement.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom criticized President Donald Trump and Republicans for opposing federal minimum-wage increases while providing tax breaks to wealthy individuals and corporations, arguing that workers deserve fair pay.
The federal minimum wage has remained at $7.25 an hour since 2009. Thirty states and Washington, D.C., have set higher rates. Washington’s minimum wage is $17.13, slightly below California’s new rate, while New York City’s stands at $17 an hour, according to the Department of Labor data.
Hawley Pushes $15 Minimum Wage Hike
Last year in June, Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) introduced legislation to double the federal minimum wage to $15 an hour, arguing that it has failed to keep pace with economic realities and workers’ needs. The bill, cosponsored by Sen. Peter Welch (D-Vt.), would also link future federal minimum wage increases to inflation, while business groups have historically opposed such hikes.
Trump had told Fox News at the time that he had not seen the move and would need to speak with Hawley. “You have to think about that one,” he said.
Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.
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