Bipartisan Bill Proposes $15 Federal Minimum Wage

Senators Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) and Peter Welch (D-Vt.) have introduced the Higher Wages for American Workers Act, a bipartisan bill that would raise the federal minimum wage from $7.25 to $15 per hour by January 2026, with future increases tied to inflation. The senators argue that the stagnant minimum wage, unchanged since 2009, has contributed to affordability problems for millions of Americans. The proposal marks a significant departure from traditional Republican orthodoxy and signals a broader populist shift within the GOP. Business groups and some conservatives warn the measure could lead to job losses and economic disruption, while supporters say it is necessary to help working Americans earn a living wage. The bill faces uncertain prospects in the GOP-controlled Congress due to historic opposition from Republican lawmakers and business associations. The legislation has sparked a national debate about wage policy, affordability, and evolving political alignments.