U.S. House of Representatives Passes Minimum Wage Bill

Democrats checked off the second item on their "First 100 Hours" agenda on Wednesday, January 10, 2007, when the U.S. House of Representatives approved increasing the minimum wage from $5.15 to $7.25 during the next two years. House members voted 315 to 116 to raise the federal wage floor.

Momentum for increasing the minimum wage, however, is likely to slow in the Senate, where Democrats cling to a 51-49 majority. Under Senate rules, it takes 60 votes to end debate and move to final passage of legislation.

Senate Republicans have indicated that they want to add a package of small-business tax breaks and regulatory relief to the minimum wage bill. President Bush has called for similar conditions. House Democrats and their labor allies decry any amendments, and are advocating for a "clean" minimum wage bill.

N. DeWayne Pope, DeWayne Pope LLC