The Progressive

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A project of Common Dreams

For Immediate Release
Contact:

Linda Benesch, lbenesch@socialsecurityworks.org

Democrats Must Keep Fighting for a Living Wage

The following is a statement from

WASHINGTON

The following is a statement from Alex Lawson, Executive Director of Social Security Works:

"Increasing the minimum wage to $15 an hour will make millions of workers and their families more economically secure. Not only will workers have more money in their pockets, but they will also contribute more into Social Security and grow their future benefits. Our report on Social Security and the minimum wage shows that a living wage would increase the future Social Security benefits of low-wage workers by up to $5000 a year.

Voters overwhelmingly support a $15 minimum wage. The House is poised to include the living wage in the COVID package they pass tonight. This will be a huge step, and we applaud Speaker Nancy Pelosi, the Congressional Progressive Caucus, and other House champions.

Next week, the legislation will go to the Senate--where Democrats must do everything in their power to pass a $15/hour living wage into law."

Social Security Works' mission is to: Protect and improve the economic security of disadvantaged and at-risk populations; Safeguard the economic security of those dependent, now or in the future, on Social Security; and Maintain Social Security as a vehicle of social justice.