U.S. Sen. Chris Murphy on Thursday announced legislation that would gradually raise the federal minimum wage to $25 an hour nationwide.
The Living Wage For All Act would increase the current federal minimum wage from $7.25 to $12 an hour in its first year, with additional increases over time until it reaches $25. Large employers would have six years after the bill’s enactment to implement the new wage, while smaller employers would have 13 years.
The bill also would phase out subminimum wages for tipped workers, workers with disabilities and youth workers. After the minimum wage reaches $25, it would automatically increase each year to equal two-thirds of the national median wage.
According to Murphy’s office, roughly 67 million workers — nearly half the U.S. workforce — currently earn less than $25 an hour.
Connecticut’s minimum wage is already well above the federal rate. It increased to $16.94 an hour on Jan. 1 under a state law that ties annual increases to the federal Employment Cost Index.
Murphy’s bill is co-sponsored by Richard Blumenthal, Andy Kim and Ron Wyden. Companion legislation has been introduced in the House of Representatives.
