04.30.14

Cantwell Statement on Senate Minimum Wage Vote

Cantwell: ‘Washington state is a beacon for the nation’ on minimum wage

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) issued the following statement after a bill to raise the federal minimum wage to $10.10 failed to pass a key procedural vote. Cantwell voted with 53 other senators to move forward on the Minimum Wage Fairness Act, but the bill fell six votes shy of the 60 needed to move to a final vote. Cantwell is a cosponsor of S. 460, which would raise the federal minimum wage from $7.25 to $10.10 per hour in three steps.  

“I am disappointed that the Senate did not move forward on our bill to raise the federal minimum wage,” Cantwell said. “This bill would have given a raise to 400,000 Washingtonians and more than 28 million Americans.

“Washington state is a beacon for the nation on how to grow the economy while providing a living wage. Washington has the nation’s highest minimum wage at $9.32, and our state has the 4th-fastest growing economy in the country by GDP.

“I’m proud that Washington state is leading the way in the national dialogue on the issue of income inequality. As policy is being shaped at the local level, I will continue to work with my colleagues in the Senate for a long-overdue increase to the federal minimum wage.”

 

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