Two Republican lawmakers proposed a bill that would gradually increase the federal minimum wage to $11 by 2028 and mandate E-Verify in an effort to make sure wage increases only go to legal workers on Wednesday.
Senators Tom Cotton and Mitt Romney’s bill would index future minimum wage increases to inflation while protecting small businesses.
Fellow Republican Senators Shelley Moore Capito, Bill Cassidy, Susan Collins and J.D. Vance cosponsored the proposal.
“American workers today compete against millions of illegal immigrants for too few jobs with wages that are too low—that’s unfair. Ending the black market for illegal labor will open up jobs for Americans. Raising the minimum wage will allow Americans filling those jobs to better support their families. Our bill does both,” said Senator Cotton.
“Despite rising costs of living, the federal minimum wage has not been increased in more than a decade, which has left millions of Americans struggling to make ends meet. Our proposal would raise wages for millions of workers without risking jobs, and tether the wage to inflation to ensure it keeps up with rising costs. Additionally, requiring employers to use E-Verify would ensure that the wage increase goes to legal workers, which would protect American jobs and eliminate a key driver of illegal immigration,” said Senator Romney.
Bill text may be found here.
