House to Vote on Increasing Minimum Wage

Update: The House, by a vote of 315-116 has passed the bill H.R. 2 -- increasing the federal minimum wage to $7.25 an hour over the next two years.

The U.S. House of Representatives is scheduled today to debate and vote on the bill H.R.2 -- a bill providing for an increase in the federal minimum wage. The bill would increase the minimum wage from the current $5.15 per hour to $7.25 an hour over the next two years.

The minimum wage has remained at $5.15 per hour since Sept. 1, 1997. Several previous bills increasing the minimum wage have failed in Congress since then, most recently in August 2006.

Working a 40 hour work week, 52 weeks a year at the present federal minimum wage level earns a worker $10,700, which is below the poverty line for a family of three.

The minimum wage bill being considered by the House today is the second in a series of six bills making up the Democratic-majority's legislative agenda scheduled to be completed during the "first 100 hours" of the 110th Congress. President Bush has indicated he might veto any bill increasing the minimum wage that does not also include tax cuts.

Also See:
Who Makes Minimum Wage?
House Begins the 'First 100 Hours' of New Congress
Bush May Veto more Bills from New Congress
Democrats Take Tenuous Control of Senate, Firm Hold on House (US Liberals)