Minimum Wage Discharge Petition

You should know where your member of Congress stands on raising the minimum wage. Contact your U.S. representative’s office today and ask whether he or she will fight to raise the minimum wage.

The Republican leadership in the House has refused to allow a vote on a bill (H.R. 2429) that would increase the minimum wage to $7.25 per hour over two years. So working family advocates have signed a “discharge petition” that will force a vote on the bill—if a majority of representatives signs it.

We need 218 signatures on the discharge petition. We have 188.

Sample Letter for Campaign

Subject: Have You Signed the Minimum Wage Increase Discharge Petition?

Dear [ Decision Maker ] ,

I am writing as your constituent to inquire whether you have signed the discharge petition (H. Res. 614) that would bring the minimum wage increase (H.R. 2429) to the floor for a vote.

There has been no increase in the minimum wage since 1997, and the current rate of $5.15 per hour puts a full-time worker well below the poverty line even for a family of three. H.R. 2429 would increase the minimum wage to $7.25 over two years, a modest but necessary step to help millions of Americans out of poverty.

If you have signed the discharge petition, thank you for your support. If you have not yet signed it, please explain why you do not support an increase in the minimum wage while Congress has voted $31,600 in raises for itself since the wage was last increased.

Sincerely,

Campaign Launched:
May 04, 2006


Background Information

You should know where your member of Congress stands on raising the minimum wage. Contact your U.S. representative’s office today and ask whether he or she will fight to raise the minimum wage.

The Republican leadership in the House has refused to allow a vote on a bill (H.R. 2429) that would increase the minimum wage to $7.25 per hour over two years. So working family advocates have signed a “discharge petition” that will force a vote on the bill—if a majority of representatives signs it.

We need 218 signatures on the discharge petition. We have 188.

An increase in the minimum wage would immediately help millions of working families struggling to make ends meet, including many of the 37 million Americans living in poverty. A full-time worker earning the minimum wage earns just $10,700 per year—below the poverty line even for a family of three. The wage hasn’t been increased from $5.15 per hour since 1997, and its buying power drops every day.

Since the wage was last increased, Congress has voted itself $31,600 in raises. Find out today whether your member of Congress has signed the discharge petition to bring the minimum wage increase to the House floor for a vote.