Pelosi Joins House Democrats in Introducing Bill to Raise the Minimum Wage

Washington, D.C. — This week, Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi joined House Democrats in introducing the Raise the Wage Act of 2025.  The Raise the Wage Act, led by House Committee on Education and the Workforce Ranking Member Bobby Scott, would gradually raise the minimum wage to $17 by 2030 and give roughly 22 million Americans a long-overdue raise.

After more than fifteen years with no increase in the federal minimum wage—the longest period in U.S. history—millions of our nation’s workers are working full-time jobs but are still struggling to make ends meet.  The Raise the Wage Act is good for workers, good for business and good for the economy.  When we put money in the pockets of workers, they will spend that money at local businesses.

“With the introduction of the Raise the Wage Act, Democrats honor the bedrock promise that, in America, hard work deserves fair pay,” Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi said.  “Raising the federal minimum wage would make a meaningful difference in the lives of millions of Americans — bringing us one step closer to ensuring every worker’s dignity and contributions are honored with a fair paycheck.”

San Francisco proudly leads the nation with a higher local minimum wage — proof that raising wages strengthens communities without slowing economic growth.

“The last time a minimum wage increase was passed by both chambers and signed into law was under my initial tenure as Speaker of the House,” Speaker Emerita Pelosi said. “We’ve fought for this before, and we’ll keep fighting until fair pay is the law of the land.”

As Speaker, Pelosi led House Democrats in passing legislation to raise the minimum wage to $15/hour in the 116th and 117th Congresses but Senate Republicans blocked the bill both times.

The Raise the Wage Act of 2025 would:

• Gradually raise the federal minimum wage from $7.25 to $17 by 2030.
• Index future increases in the federal minimum wage to median wage growth to ensure the value of minimum wage does not once again erode over time.
• Guarantee tipped workers are paid at least the full federal minimum wage by phasing out the subminimum wage for tipped workers, which will ensure decent, consistent pay without eliminating tips.
• Guarantee teen workers are paid at least the full federal minimum wage by phasing out the rarely used subminimum wage for youth workers.
• End subminimum wage certificates for workers with disabilities to provide opportunities for workers with disabilities to be competitively employed and participate more fully in their communities.

To read the bill text for the Raise the Wage Act of 2025, click here. 

To read the fact sheet on the Raise the Wage Act of 2025, click here.

To read the section-by-section Raise the Wage Act of 2025, click here.

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