Braley and Klobuchar visit local business in Waterloo to highlight importance of raising the minimum wage to $10.10 and restore its purchasing power
Waterloo, IA - Bruce Braley and U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), vice chair of the U.S. Congress Joint Economic Committee, today discussed the importance of raising the minimum wage and providing 300,000 Iowans with a pay raise during a visit to Popcorn Heaven in Waterloo. Braley and Klobuchar have both been fighting to increase the federal minimum wage to $10.10 an hour to restore its purchasing power, fight income inequality, and strengthen Iowa and the nation's economy.
Today's stop comes after Braley for Iowa released a new report this week detailing the many benefits to Iowa working families of raising the federal minimum wage - a move that would overwhelmingly benefit adult workers, women, and families.
On the other hand, State Sen. Joni Ernst has repeatedly said that she does not support a federal minimum wage and that she thinks $7.25 an hour - which means roughly $15,000 a year for a full-time worker - is an appropriate minimum wage for hardworking Iowans. Earlier this week, Ernst reinforced her opposition to the minimum wage and showed just how out of touch she is when she said $7.25 is a "great starter wage for many high school students, those that are just getting into work experience."
Braley said, "No one in Iowa should work a full-time job and live near or below the poverty line. It's been over five years since the last federal minimum wage increase, and the minimum wage buys less and less for Iowa's workers, many of whom are supporting families. Small businesses like Popcorn Heaven know raising the minimum wage is good for working Iowans, good for business, and good for the economy - and yet my opponent thinks $15,000 a year is an appropriate wage for Iowa. I am committed to raising the minimum wage, boosting Iowa's economy, and providing 300,000 Iowans with a raise."
A report from Progress Iowa earlier this year found that increasing the minimum wage to $10.10 an hour would provide 300,000 Iowans with a pay increase and infuse more than $270 million into Iowa's economy.
Since reaching its peak in 1968 at $10.69 an hour (in 2013 dollars), the minimum wage's purchasing power has steadily declined and left working Iowans struggling to support their families.
Braley and Klobuchar are sponsors of the Fair Minimum Wage Act that would increase the federal minimum wage to $10.10/hr and then tie future increases to inflation. According to a Des Moines Register poll, 65% of Iowans believe the minimum wage should be increased.
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Waterloo, IA - Bruce Braley and U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), vice chair of the U.S. Congress Joint Economic Committee, today discussed the importance of raising the minimum wage and providing 300,000 Iowans with a pay raise during a visit to Popcorn Heaven in Waterloo. Braley and Klobuchar have both been fighting to increase the federal minimum wage to $10.10 an hour to restore its purchasing power, fight income inequality, and strengthen Iowa and the nation's economy.
Today's stop comes after Braley for Iowa released a new report this week detailing the many benefits to Iowa working families of raising the federal minimum wage - a move that would overwhelmingly benefit adult workers, women, and families.
On the other hand, State Sen. Joni Ernst has repeatedly said that she does not support a federal minimum wage and that she thinks $7.25 an hour - which means roughly $15,000 a year for a full-time worker - is an appropriate minimum wage for hardworking Iowans. Earlier this week, Ernst reinforced her opposition to the minimum wage and showed just how out of touch she is when she said $7.25 is a "great starter wage for many high school students, those that are just getting into work experience."
Braley said, "No one in Iowa should work a full-time job and live near or below the poverty line. It's been over five years since the last federal minimum wage increase, and the minimum wage buys less and less for Iowa's workers, many of whom are supporting families. Small businesses like Popcorn Heaven know raising the minimum wage is good for working Iowans, good for business, and good for the economy - and yet my opponent thinks $15,000 a year is an appropriate wage for Iowa. I am committed to raising the minimum wage, boosting Iowa's economy, and providing 300,000 Iowans with a raise."
A report from Progress Iowa earlier this year found that increasing the minimum wage to $10.10 an hour would provide 300,000 Iowans with a pay increase and infuse more than $270 million into Iowa's economy.
Since reaching its peak in 1968 at $10.69 an hour (in 2013 dollars), the minimum wage's purchasing power has steadily declined and left working Iowans struggling to support their families.
Braley and Klobuchar are sponsors of the Fair Minimum Wage Act that would increase the federal minimum wage to $10.10/hr and then tie future increases to inflation. According to a Des Moines Register poll, 65% of Iowans believe the minimum wage should be increased.
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