Minimum Wage Backgrounder

April 2006

The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops has joined other supporters advocating an increase in the minimum wage.  They do so as part of their ongoing concern about the dignity of low-income families struggling to break out of poverty and provide for their families.

The bishops seek a vote on this increase in both Houses of Congress.  Some members of the House of Representatives themselves have launched a campaign to force a vote on the Fair Minimum Wage Act.  This discharge petition (H. Res. 614) would force the House to take up the bill when a majority (218) of members signs it.  If passed, The Fair Minimum Wage Act would increase the federal minimum wage from $5.15/hour to $7.25/hour.

As of April 7, 2006, there are 188 signers of this petition.  You can use the following weblink to see the names of those Representatives who have signed: https://clerk.house.gov/109/lrc/pd/Petitions/Dis11.htm

If your Representative(s) have signed, please thank them; but if they have not signed, we urge you to contact them and encourage them to do so.

Also, we encourage you to write to your Senators.  Urge them to support an increase in the minimum wage and the Fair Minimum Wage Act (S.1062).