As President Barack Obama signs an executive order raising the minimum wage for federal contract workers to $10.10 an hour, he's also making a push to get Congress to raise the minimum wage for all American workers. His Council of Economic Advisers released a report showing how the American minimum wage lags behind those of many other advanced countries—and still would, even if the minimum wage is raised to $10.10:
Productivity has shot up over the past several decades, but wage stagnation means that to reduce poverty, the United States has relied on programs like food stamps and the Earned Income Tax Credit.
Raising the minimum wage would push back on this trend. What's preventing that? Senate Republicans who'd filibuster a minimum wage bill, and House Republicans who won't even allow a vote.
Now is the time to give America a raise. Sign our petition urging Congress to pass the Harkin-Miller bill and finally raise the minimum wage.