Today, Rep. Pete Aguilar (CA-31) announced his co-sponsorship of a bill to raise the federal minimum wage. The Raise the Wage Act would incrementally raise the federal minimum wage from $7.25 to $12.00 by 2020. 

“Thousands of hardworking men and women throughout the Inland Empire work full time and still live below the poverty line. That’s unacceptable. The time is long overdue to raise the minimum wage to give our residents the ability to keep up with the rising cost of everyday living expenses and provide for their families,” said Rep. Aguilar.

According to a recent study done by the Economic Policy Institute, over two million California employees who work more than 35 hours a week at the minimum wage could see their paychecks increase to $12.00 an hour by 2020 [Economic Policy Institute, 2015].

Raising the minimum wage is a top priority for Rep. Aguilar, and a key component of his Jobs Plan, which was unveiled last month.