The United States Senate has passed a bill that would increase the federal minimum wage to $15 an hour by 2025. The bill, which was passed by a vote of 68-29, is the first major increase in the federal minimum wage since 2009.
The bill, which is part of the Raise the Wage Act, would gradually increase the federal minimum wage from its current rate of $7.25 an hour to $15 an hour by 2025. After that, the minimum wage would be indexed to inflation, meaning it would increase each year to keep up with the cost of living.
The bill also includes provisions to gradually increase the minimum wage for tipped workers, which is currently $2.13 an hour. The bill would increase the tipped minimum wage to $15 an hour by 2027.
The bill now moves to the House of Representatives, where it is expected to pass. If it passes, it would be the first time in more than a decade that the federal minimum wage has been increased.
The bill has been met with both praise and criticism. Supporters of the bill argue that it would help millions of low-wage workers who are struggling to make ends meet. Critics of the bill argue that it would lead to job losses and higher prices for consumers.
No matter what happens, the bill is a sign that the federal government is taking the issue of minimum wage seriously. It remains to be seen if the bill will become law, but it is a step in the right direction for those who are struggling to make ends meet.
