NAACP Applauds Reps. Ramirez & Mejia for Introducing Living Wage for All Act

WASHINGTON - NAACP, One Fair Wage, labor and economic justice leaders from across the country came together at the U.S. Capitol to stand with Rep. Delia Ramirez (IL-03) while she introduced the Living Wage for All Act, a landmark federal bill co-sponsored by Rep. Analilia Mejia (NJ-11) that would raise the federal minimum wage to $25 per hour - the floor that working families need to meet the real cost of living in America today.

The bill introduction featured Members of Congress, NAACP, national leaders from the Living Wage For All Coalition, and directly impacted workers from across sectors sharing why the affordability crisis is not just a cost-of-living crisis, but is a wage crisis, urging Congress to raise the minimum wage to a living wage to meet the true cost of living.

"For 17 years, Washington has left the federal minimum wage at $7.25 while working people have fallen further behind," said Derrick Johnson, President & CEO, NAACP. "Our communities don't need lip service or slogans - they're demanding real solutions that match the reality of this economy. A living wage is about dignity, but it is also about who holds power in this country. It's tied to every other fight for civil rights - from racial justice, to voting rights, to economic opportunity. When people are denied fair wages, they are denied the ability to fully participate in our democracy. The NAACP stands with this coalition and applauds the introduction of the Living Wage for All Act because civil rights, racial justice, and economic justice are inseparable."

"This is a worker-led movement that has grown from the groundbreaking Fight for $15 into a nationwide push for a true living wage. Across the country - from California to the Midwest to the East Coast - workers are organizing for $25 and $30 because that is what it takes to live. The polling shows this is not just popular, it is necessary. And 'for all' means exactly that: no worker left behind. This is what it looks like when politics begins to catch up to reality - and when democracy delivers real improvements in people's lives, it becomes tangible. A living wage is how we make that promise real." - Saru Jayaraman, President, One Fair Wage

The legislation sits at the center of a rapidly expanding national push to match wages with the real cost of living. The federal minimum wage has remained stuck at $7.25 since 2009. For more than 17 years, workers have absorbed rising costs for rent, groceries, childcare, and healthcare while their wages have remained stagnant. The Living Wage for All Act establishes a new national wage floor grounded in economic reality, not political compromise.

Watch the full press conference here.

Background: The Living Wage for All Act would raise the federal minimum wage to $25 per hour through a phased approach that reflects both the cost of living and the structure of the modern economy.

The bill establishes a two-track phase-in, requiring large, highly profitable corporations to lead the transition. Large employers would reach $25 by 2031, while smaller employers would phase in more gradually, reaching $25 by 2038.

To ensure wages do not fall behind again, the bill includes a built-in standard that keeps the minimum wage aligned with typical wages across the economy. As the economy grows and wages rise, the minimum wage would rise with it.

The legislation also eliminates all subminimum wages, including tipped workers, youth workers, and workers with disabilities - ensuring that every worker is guaranteed a full wage from their employer, with no exceptions.

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Living Wage For All Coalition

The Living Wage for All Coalition is a national campaign of more than 100 labor, community, civil rights, and economic justice organizations working together to win a living wage for every worker in America. The coalition is advancing a multi-level strategy through federal legislation, state ballot measures, and local campaigns to raise wages, end all subminimum wages, and ensure that work pays enough to meet the real cost of living - with no exceptions.

NAACP

The NAACP advocates, agitates, and litigates for the civil rights due to Black America. Our legacy is built on the foundation of grassroots activism by the biggest civil rights pioneers of the 20th century and is sustained by 21st century activists. From classrooms and courtrooms to city halls and Congress, our network of members across the country works to secure the social and political power that will end race-based discrimination. That work is rooted in racial equity, civic engagement, and supportive policies and institutions for all marginalized people. We are committed to a world without racism where Black people enjoy equitable opportunities in thriving communities.

One Fair Wage

One Fair Wage is a national organization of nearly 300,000 service workers, over 1000 restaurant employers, and dozens of organizations nationwide all working together to raise wages for all workers, end all subminimum wages in the United States, and improve working conditions in the service sector in particular. One Fair Wage policy would require all employers to pay the full minimum wage with fair, non-discriminatory tips on top, thus lifting millions of tipped and subminimum wage workers nationally out of poverty. For more information, visit https://www.onefairwage.org.

National Education Association

The National Education Association is the largest labor union in the United States, representing more than 3 million educators, school staff, and education professionals across the country. NEA advocates for public education, economic justice, and the success of every student, working to ensure that schools are well-funded, educators are respected, and communities are supported.

Center for Popular Democracy

The Center for Popular Democracy is a national network of community-based organizations that builds power to advance racial and economic justice. CPD partners with grassroots groups across the country to win progressive policy change through organizing, advocacy, and electoral campaigns, with a focus on expanding democracy, raising wages, and creating an economy that works for all.

Policy Link

PolicyLink is a national research and action institute advancing racial and economic equity by Lifting Up What Works®. Through research, advocacy, and partnerships with communities, PolicyLink works to ensure that all people - especially those in low-income communities and communities of color - can participate in and benefit from a just and fair economy. PolicyLink develops data-driven solutions and policy strategies that address income inequality, expand opportunity, and build an inclusive economy nationwide.