Fighting for a $20 Minimum Wage, With or Without Congress

As Republicans in Congress rip up the safety net, the quest for wages that keep pace with the high cost of living intensifies.

by Ella Tummel July 1, 2025

For 15 years, the federal minimum wage has been stuck at $7.25, barely enough to cover lunch, let alone the cost of living. But Congress isn’t moving on the issue, so the quest to bring the federal minimum in line with economic realities stagnates. Two bills have been put forward this year: The Raise the Wage Act of 2025, introduced in April by Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) and Bobby Scott (D-VA), proposes a federal minimum wage of $15.50 by 2029 and $17 by 2030. The Higher Wages for American Workers Act, introduced by Sens. Josh Hawley (R-MO) and Peter Welch (D-VT) in June, proposes a federal minimum wage of $15 per hour, linked to future increases in the Consumer Price Index. But neither has gotten any traction since Republicans in Congress remain obsessed with slashing Medicaid, SNAP, and other programs for the poorest Americans.

More than 30 states have hourly wages higher than the federal minimum with nearly 20 states at or near $15. Workers and state and local officials understand that it’s increasingly difficult to justify resistance to higher wages—even if Congress does not. The fight for $20 is the new benchmark.

In June, a coalition of national labor union leaders, worker organizations, and racial and economic justice organizations gathered in Los Angeles to launch the Living Wage for All campaign. The group wants to see Los Angeles officials raise the minimum wage to $30 and also plans to work for higher wages across the country.

Saru Jayaraman, president and co-founder of One Fair Wage, recognizes that many businesses will continue to throw up roadblocks. “We’re excited that, despite—or even because of—the restaurant lobby’s increased activity, it’s created new momentum that we think will lead to wins this year, and definitely [move to] the ballot next year in multiple states,” she said.

https://prospect.org/labor/fighting-for-a-20-minimum-wage-with-or-without-congress/