California & New York Make Progress for Hard-Working American Families
Pelosi Statement on Signing of California’s $15 Minimum Wage Law
San Francisco — Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi today released the following statement today after California Governor Jerry Brown signed legislation that increases California’s minimum wage to $15.00 an hour by 2022:
“Today is a monumental victory in the lives of millions and millions of hard-working families across our state. With this law, California has affirmed the bedrock idea of fairness in our country: that hard work deserves a decent wage. Thanks to the leadership of Governor Brown, the Legislature, and advocates up and down California, millions of hard-working Californians are looking toward a future of bigger paychecks and greater possibilities.
“Meanwhile, the federal minimum wage has been frozen at a scant $7.25 for nearly seven years. While we have secured vital progress for the workers of California, hard-working families across America are still waiting for a long-overdue pay raise. As California leads the way toward bigger paychecks for working families, the need for Congressional action is clearer than ever.
“Our economy works best when it works for everyone, not just the wealthy and privileged few. When families have more money to spend, we strengthen consumer demand, create more good-paying jobs, and grow our economy. It’s time for Republicans to join Democrats to raise the federal minimum wage, lift millions of out of poverty, and generate billions of dollars in increased economic activity for our communities.”
Pelosi Statement on New York State Paid Family Leave & Minimum Wage Increase
San Francisco — Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi released the following statement after Governor Andrew Cuomo signed legislation instituting 12 weeks of paid family leave and increasing the minimum wage throughout New York:
“Today, New York has made strong progress on behalf of hard-working families. When we raise the minimum wage and give workers the flexibility of paid family leave, we strengthen communities, empower families and grow our economy. Thanks to the leadership of Governor Cuomo, New York is charting a course for a fairer, stronger economy for everyone.
“New York’s leadership for working people shines a stark light on the inaction of the Republican Congress. It is long past time to enact paid family leave for all Americans and lift the federal minimum wage to deliver a long-overdue pay raise to hard-working families all across America.
“Paid family leave and raising the minimum wage are vital to unleashing the full power of women and working families in our country — and they are key pillars of House Democrats’ ‘When Women Succeed, America Succeeds’ economic agenda. Republicans should join Democrats to grow the paychecks of working people, give greater flexibility to hard-working families, and build an economy that works for all Americans.”
