Raise the Wage Act of 2025
Sponsored By: Senator Sen. Sanders, Bernard [I-VT]
Introduced
Summary
Would set a multi-year federal minimum wage schedule and then index future increases to wage growth. This bill would also consolidate tipped and youth wages into phased cash floors and phase out special subminimum certificates for workers with disabilities.
Show full summary
- Workers and households: Creates a baseline minimum wage of $9.50 and raises it on a set schedule to $17.00 by year five, then would tie future increases to the annual change in median hourly wages.
- Tipped and young workers: Establishes a phased cash wage for tipped employees starting at $6.00 and rising until it matches the regular minimum, and creates a youth hire wage starting at $6.00 with annual increases capped at $1.75 until reaching the standard minimum.
- Workers with disabilities and employers: Phases wages for employees paid under 14(c) over five years to at least the regular minimum, bars new special certificates, and provides transition assistance for affected workers and employers.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.
Higher federal minimum wage
If enacted, the federal minimum wage would rise in set steps to $17.00 over five years. Beginning in year six, the Secretary would raise the wage each year by the annual percent change in the BLS median hourly wage, rounded up to $0.05. The Secretary must publish the new wage at least 90 days before it starts.
Higher guaranteed pay for tipped workers
If enacted, tipped workers would get a higher guaranteed cash wage that rises in steps from $6.00 up to $17.00 over several years. The bill would also affirm that employees keep their tips and require employers to tell workers about that right. It would broaden penalty wording to cover improper use of tips.
Staged minimum for new hires under 20
If enacted, newly hired workers under 20 would start at $6.00 for the first year. Each year after, their wage would rise by the lesser of $1.75 or the amount needed to reach the federal minimum. Once it equals the federal minimum, new hires under 20 would receive the regular federal minimum in future years.
Phase-out of subminimum 14(c) wages
If enacted, wages under 14(c) certificates would rise in steps and must be at least the higher of the staged floor or a worker's pre-law certificate wage. The law would bar new certificates after enactment and stop certificates from having legal effect once the staged wage reaches the federal minimum. The Department of Labor would provide technical help and referrals to affected employers and workers.
Timing and notice for wage increases
If enacted, the Act would generally start on the first day of the third month after enactment. The Department of Labor would have to publish notice at least 60 days before any scheduled wage increase in the Federal Register and on its website.
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Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Sen. Sanders, Bernard [I-VT]
VT • I
Cosponsors
Sen. Schiff, Adam B. [D-CA]
CA • D
Sponsored 4/8/2025
Sen. Smith, Tina [D-MN]
MN • D
Sponsored 4/8/2025
Chris Van Hollen
MD • D
Sponsored 4/8/2025
Raphael Warnock
GA • D
Sponsored 4/8/2025
Sen. Warren, Elizabeth [D-MA]
MA • D
Sponsored 4/8/2025
Peter Welch
VT • D
Sponsored 4/8/2025
Sen. Whitehouse, Sheldon [D-RI]
RI • D
Sponsored 4/8/2025
Sen. Wyden, Ron [D-OR]
OR • D
Sponsored 4/8/2025
Rep. Slotkin, Elissa [D-MI-7]
MI • D
Sponsored 4/9/2025
Sen. Alsobrooks, Angela D. [D-MD]
MD • D
Sponsored 4/8/2025
Sen. Baldwin, Tammy [D-WI]
WI • D
Sponsored 4/8/2025
Richard Blumenthal
CT • D
Sponsored 4/8/2025
Rep. Blunt Rochester, Lisa [D-DE-At Large]
DE • D
Sponsored 4/8/2025
Sen. Booker, Cory A. [D-NJ]
NJ • D
Sponsored 4/8/2025
Sen. Cantwell, Maria [D-WA]
WA • D
Sponsored 4/8/2025
Tammy Duckworth
IL • D
Sponsored 4/8/2025
Sen. Durbin, Richard J. [D-IL]
IL • D
Sponsored 4/8/2025
Sen. Fetterman, John [D-PA]
PA • D
Sponsored 4/8/2025
Sen. Gallego, Ruben [D-AZ]
AZ • D
Sponsored 4/8/2025
Kirsten Gillibrand
NY • D
Sponsored 4/8/2025
Sen. Hirono, Mazie K. [D-HI]
HI • D
Sponsored 4/8/2025
Sen. Kaine, Tim [D-VA]
VA • D
Sponsored 4/8/2025
Sen. Kelly, Mark [D-AZ]
AZ • D
Sponsored 4/8/2025
Andy Kim
NJ • D
Sponsored 4/8/2025
Amy Klobuchar
MN • D
Sponsored 4/8/2025
Sen. Markey, Edward J. [D-MA]
MA • D
Sponsored 4/8/2025
Sen. Merkley, Jeff [D-OR]
OR • D
Sponsored 4/8/2025
Sen. Murphy, Christopher [D-CT]
CT • D
Sponsored 4/8/2025
Sen. Murray, Patty [D-WA]
WA • D
Sponsored 4/8/2025
Sen. Padilla, Alex [D-CA]
CA • D
Sponsored 4/8/2025
Gary Peters
MI • D
Sponsored 4/8/2025
Sen. Reed, Jack [D-RI]
RI • D
Sponsored 4/8/2025
Sen. Schatz, Brian [D-HI]
HI • D
Sponsored 4/8/2025
Sen. Coons, Christopher A. [D-DE]
DE • D
Sponsored 3/5/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
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