Federal minimum wage could increase IF a new bill passes
Sep 13, 2023, 2:06 PM | Updated: 2:41 pm
FILE - Glass jar with coins on table, closeup. (Adobe Stock)
(Adobe Stock)
SALT LAKE CITY — The Federal minimum wage could go up to $11 an hour — if a new bill co-sponsored by Senator Mitt Romney (R-UT) gets a thumbs up from Congress. That is a $4 increase.
The legislation called the “Higher Wages for American Workers Act” would give companies with more than 20 employees up to four years to gradually increase the current minimum wage of $7.25 to $11. Businesses with fewer than 20 employees could have more time.
In a news release, Romney said “the federal minimum wage has not been increased in more than a decade,” despite the continued rise in the cost of living. This has left millions of Americans struggling to pay for essential services, like food and housing.
The new bill also takes aim at illegal immigration. Romney and his co-sponsors U.S. Senators Tom Cotton (R-AR), Bill Cassidy M.D. (R-LA), Susan Collins (R-ME), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), and JD Vance (R-OH) added all employers would be required to use E-Verify to make sure only legal employees get the wage increase.
Romney stated higher wages are a major contributing factor in illegal immigration into the United States. The Senators believe their bill will put more money into the pockets of legal workers. It will also discourage people from illegally immigrating across the border.
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