The Raise the Wage Act

The Raise the Wage Act was introduced in the Senate on April 30.

It would increase the minimum hourly wage each year - reaching $12 in 2020. It also would increase the minimum wage for tipped workers by $1.05 each year.

This bill was not acted on, and expired when the session of Congress ended in January, 2017.

The Fair Minimum Wage Act

A bill to raise the minimum wage, the Fair Minimum Wage Act, was proposed in the previous Senate.

However, the legislation was not acted on, and expired when the session of Congress ended in January, 2015.

Executive Order would increase wages for federal contractors

In February 2014, President Obama issued an executive order requiring that contractors doing work for the federal government pay their employees at least $10.10 per hour starting in 2015. That would increase their minimum wage from the federal minimum of $7.25 per hour. Those who work for companies such as retail stores and fast-food restaurants are not affected by the executive order, and still will be subject to the current minimum wage.

The rule took effect in 2015.

For more, read the Department of Labor fact sheet for the rule.