Senators Hawley, Welch Propose Federal Minimum Wage Increase to $15

Senator Josh Hawley, a Republican from Missouri, has introduced bipartisan legislation with Senator Peter Welch to raise the federal minimum wage to $15 per hour, effective as early as next year, with automatic annual adjustments tied to inflation. This proposal aims to address the long stagnation of the federal minimum wage, which has remained at $7.25 since 2009, the longest stretch without an increase since the Great Depression. While many states have already raised their minimum wage above $15, the federal increase would impact 21 states that currently adhere to the lower federal rate, mostly in the South. Hawley frames the bill as a populist move to support working families who have not seen real wage growth in years, setting him apart from the traditional GOP stance against minimum wage hikes. However, the legislation faces strong opposition from most Republicans in Congress, and critics warn it could lead to significant job losses, citing economic concerns. The bill's fate remains uncertain as Congress prioritizes President Donald Trump's legislative agenda, and Democrats generally advocate for an even higher minimum wage of $17 per hour.