January 19, 2007
Ask your Senators to Support S.2, the Fair Minimum Wage Act of 2007
Reason: Call your Senators toll free at the Capitol Switchboard (1-800-459-1887), and urge them to vote for the Fair Minimum Wage Act of 2007 (S.2) without tax concessions for business and no provisions which would decimate worker rights. You will need to make two calls to the toll free number to reach both of your Senators. The Senate is expected to take up the bill on Monday, January 22.
Issue: On January 10, the House voted 315 to 116 to raise the minimum wage from $5.15 to $7.25 an hour by 2009. The Senate will vote soon on S.2, which would do the same. At least 60 votes are needed to overcome delaying tactics. In order to make sure they have enough votes, Senate leaders may include some tax breaks in S.2. We strongly prefer the clean minimum wage bill that the House passed. But millions of workers and their families need a raise now. Tell your senators to support S.2 AND to oppose any amendments that give still more tax breaks to business or that assault workers' rights.
The toll-free number will remain active until the Senate votes on S.2.
Legislative Intent: The long history of increases in the federal minimum wage has been basically bipartisan. Enacted by Franklin Roosevelt in 1938, Republicans and Democrats (including Dwight Eisenhower in 1955) have voted for an increase in the minimum wage since the Roosevelt Administration. According to the Center for Budget and Policy Priorities, raising the minimum wage would provide an additional $4,400 per year for a family of three, equaling 15 months of groceries, or over two years of health care – helping them to keep up with rising costs. A minimum wage increase is especially imperative at a time when America’s families have seen their real income drop by almost $1,300 since 2000, while the costs of health insurance, gasoline, home heating, and attending college have increased by almost $5,000 annually. NASW believes that S.2 will appreciably affect the quality of life for women, children, minorities, and families across this great nation by providing meaningful wages that offset poverty levels.
Social Work Action: The National Association of Social Workers (NASW) is vigorously committed to the alleviation of poverty for women, children, minorities, and families throughout America. Sixty-three percent of those who receive the minimum wage are women; while forty percent of those individuals who earn the minimum wage are men and women of color. The Economic Policy Institute states that the minimum wage has not increased in more than nine years – the longest period in the history of the law. During that time, however, Members of Congress have received a $31,600 pay raise. The real value of the minimum wage has plummeted to its lowest level in 51 years. Increasing the minimum wage has broad bipartisan and popular support as evidenced by 89 percent of Americans approving of a wage enhancement in a recent poll. Meanwhile, another poll showed that 72 percent of Republicans support the minimum wage increase. NASW contends that it is wrong to have millions of Americans working full-time and year-round while still residing in poverty. At $5.15 an hour, a full-time minimum wage worker brings home $10,712 a year – nearly $6,000 below the poverty level for a family of three. An increase in the minimum wage will aid the neediest Americans who encounter serious economic challenges and adverse quality of life issues. NASW asserts that a fair increase in the minimum wage is long overdue. Please call your Senators and encourage them to support S.2.
Contact: NASW Lobbyist Lawrence Moore, III at 202-336-8289
Thank you for your advocacy! |
