Minimum Wage

Political pressure is building on Congress to raise the federal minimum wage, which has remained at $7.25 an hour since 2009. Polls show a majority of Americans support the idea; low-wage workers have staged protests demanding higher pay; and 21 states have set their own hourly minimums at more than $7.25. Congressional Democrats have introduced legislation to raise the federal minimum to $10.10 an hour, to be phased in over a little more than two years, and President Obama has expressed support for the measure. But business groups, including the National Restaurant Association and U.S. Chamber of Commerce, strongly oppose an increase, saying it would force fast-food outlets, retailers and other employers to eliminate jobs for the poorest, lowest-skilled workers. Supporters of an increase say raising the minimum would cause minimal job loss while putting money into the hands of low-wage workers who would spend it, boosting the economy. The debate over the federal minimum wage is likely to run through this year's mid-term elections as Democrats have promised to try to make raising the minimum a wedge issue.