A group of U.S. senators introduced legislation this week that would gradually raise the federal minimum wage to $11 per hour and mandate the use of E-Verify to ensure the wage increase only goes to legal workers.
The Higher Wages for American Workers Act (S. 2785) would raise the federal minimum wage to $11 per hour over four years, from its current $7.25 per hour. It would then index increases to inflation every two years moving forward. However, it would create a slower phase-in for small businesses with fewer than 20 employees.
In addition, it would mandate the use of the E-Verify system for all employers, phasing in implementation over 18 months. It would also raise civil and criminal penalties on employers that hire unauthorized aliens or violate I-9 paperwork requirements. Finally, it would prevent fraud by requiring workers 18 and older to provide a photo ID to their employer for verification, which will be cross-referenced through the E-Verify system.
“We need to have a responsible conversation about how to increase the minimum wage for American workers. Proud to support Senator Romney’s legislation that provides a measured approach to raising the minimum wage while also protecting American jobs,” said Sen. Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA), ranking member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) committee and one of the bill’s sponsors.
It is also sponsored by U.S. Sens. Mitt Romney (R-UT), Tom Cotton (R-AR), Susan Collins (R-ME), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), and JD Vance (R-OH).
“Despite rising costs of living, the federal minimum wage has not been increased in more than a decade, which has left millions of Americans struggling to make ends meet,” Romney said. “Our proposal would raise wages for millions of workers without risking jobs and tether the wage to inflation to ensure it keeps up with rising costs. Additionally, requiring employers to use E-Verify would ensure that the wage increase goes to legal workers, which would protect American jobs and eliminate a key driver of illegal immigration.”