By Staff
WASHINGTON – U.S. Rep. Fred Upton, R-St. Joseph, applauded Wednesday's approval of bipartisan legislation in the House of Representatives to increase the federal minimum wage from $5.15 an hour to $7.25 an hour.
The Fair Minimum Wage Act of 2007, H.R. 2, passed the House by a vote of 315 to 116. Similar legislation is pending in the Senate and Upton is hopeful a swift agreement can be reached.
"We are well overdue in raising the minimum wage for hardworking Americans with the last increase occurring some 10 years ago," said Upton.
Michigan and 15 other states already have implemented higher minimum wages above the current federal standard.
"I have always considered the minimum wage to be a starting wage and one that will not suffice for a 'head of household,'" Upton said. "The current federal minimum wage of $5.15 per hour for a full-time worker, working 40 hours per week, would earn only $10,712 a year, falling well below the $20,000 poverty line for a family of four."
Upton, who represents Michigan's 6th District, said raising the minimum wage to $7.25 an hour provides a much needed financial boost to American workers and their families.