Original LAW Act

1/31/2025, 11:08 AM

Original Living American Wage Act or the Original LAW Act

This bill increases the federal minimum wage according to a formula specified in the bill.

First, the bill increases the minimum hourly wage to $10.59 beginning on January 1, 2026, and increases the minimum hourly wage by $4 annually from January 1, 2027, through January 1, 2030.

Next, beginning on January 1, 2031, the Department of Labor shall increase the minimum hourly wage every seven years according to a specified formula.

The formula establishes the minimum hourly wage as the wage sufficient for a person working 1,799 hours per year (approximately 35 hours per week) to earn an annual income that is 40% higher than the federal supplemental poverty threshold for a renter family of four, with two children under the age of 18, as published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics for the preceding year. However, if this formula results in a reduction, the minimum hourly wage may not be lowered. 

Bill 119 HR 122 aims to amend the Fair Labor Standards Act to change how the minimum wage is calculated. Instead of using a set dollar amount, the bill proposes that the minimum wage should be based on the Federal supplemental poverty threshold for a family of four renters with two children under the age of 18, as determined by the Bureau of the Census. This means that the minimum wage would be adjusted based on the cost of living for this specific type of family.

The bill also includes provisions for other purposes, which could potentially address additional issues related to labor standards. This change in how the minimum wage is calculated could have significant implications for workers and businesses across the country, as it would tie the minimum wage to the specific needs of a family in poverty.

Overall, Bill 119 HR 122 seeks to address income inequality and ensure that the minimum wage reflects the true cost of living for families in need. It will be interesting to see how this proposed change is received and whether it will ultimately be passed into law.
Congress
119
Number
HR - 122
Introduced on
2025-01-03
# Amendments
0
Sponsors
+5

Variations and Revisions

1/3/2025
Text
PDF
XML

Status of Legislation

Bill Introduced
Introduced to House
House to Vote
Introduced to Senate
Senate to Vote

Purpose and Summary

Original Living American Wage Act or the Original LAW Act

This bill increases the federal minimum wage according to a formula specified in the bill.

First, the bill increases the minimum hourly wage to $10.59 beginning on January 1, 2026, and increases the minimum hourly wage by $4 annually from January 1, 2027, through January 1, 2030.

Next, beginning on January 1, 2031, the Department of Labor shall increase the minimum hourly wage every seven years according to a specified formula.

The formula establishes the minimum hourly wage as the wage sufficient for a person working 1,799 hours per year (approximately 35 hours per week) to earn an annual income that is 40% higher than the federal supplemental poverty threshold for a renter family of four, with two children under the age of 18, as published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics for the preceding year. However, if this formula results in a reduction, the minimum hourly wage may not be lowered. 

Bill 119 HR 122 aims to amend the Fair Labor Standards Act to change how the minimum wage is calculated. Instead of using a set dollar amount, the bill proposes that the minimum wage should be based on the Federal supplemental poverty threshold for a family of four renters with two children under the age of 18, as determined by the Bureau of the Census. This means that the minimum wage would be adjusted based on the cost of living for this specific type of family.

The bill also includes provisions for other purposes, which could potentially address additional issues related to labor standards. This change in how the minimum wage is calculated could have significant implications for workers and businesses across the country, as it would tie the minimum wage to the specific needs of a family in poverty.

Overall, Bill 119 HR 122 seeks to address income inequality and ensure that the minimum wage reflects the true cost of living for families in need. It will be interesting to see how this proposed change is received and whether it will ultimately be passed into law.
Alternative Names
Official Title as IntroducedTo amend the Fair Labor Standards Act to provide for the calculation of the minimum wage based on the Federal supplemental poverty threshold for a renter family of 4, with 2 children under the age of 18, as determined by the Bureau of the Census, and for other purposes.

Comments

Related

Member:  
Al Green
Committee:  
Education and the Workforce

Recent Activity

Latest Summary2/28/2025

Original Living American Wage Act or the Original LAW Act

This bill increases the federal minimum wage according to a formula specified in the bill.

First, the bill increases the minimum hourly wage to $10.59 begi...

Latest Action1/3/2025
Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.