Press Releases

Today, the House of Representatives will vote on H.R.582, the Raise the Wage Act of 2019. This legislation is sponsored by fellow CBC member and Chairman of the House Education and Labor Committee, Congressman Bobby Scott.  This legislation comes after more than a decade with no increase to the federal minimum wage -- the longest period in the United States history.  If passed, the legislation would increase the federal minimum wage to $15 by 2025 and will give millions of African Americans a raise. The Congressional Black Caucus released the following statement ahead of today’s vote urging Congress to pass this monumental legislation:

“African Americans across this nation shouldn’t have to work three jobs to pay rent or 40 hours or more each week trying to put food on the table, keep a roof over their head, and ensure their family is taken care of,” said Congresswoman Karen Bass, Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus. “Sadly, many African Americans live in states where the minimum wage is $7.25. It is outrageous to expect our community to live, survive, and thrive off of a minimum wage that is by no means a livable wage. 

“We know that we have a wealth inequality problem in this country. Every day, the rich get richer while working families continue to struggle to make ends meet. This wealth gap widens for educated Black women when compared to their White counterparts and has continued to worsen for the entire Black community since the 1970s. But under Chairman Bobby Scott’s leadership, this common-sense legislation will address our nation’s wage inequality. The Raise the Wage Act would provide roughly 34 million American workers with a well-deserved raise. As the conscience of the Congress, the Black Caucus will continue to fight for better jobs and higher wages. We are happy to join Chairman Bobby Scott in supporting the Raise the Wage Act and strongly urge our colleagues on both side of the aisle to pass this vital legislation.”