Washington D.C. – On Thursday, July 18, 2019, the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 582, the so called “Raise the Wage Act” which would raise federal minimum wage by 107 percent. After voting against the legislation, Congressman Randy Weber (R - Friendswood) released the following statement:

“In a purported effort to improve job opportunities in America, House Democrats actually passed legislation which will do the exact opposite. But, don’t take my word for it.

“The Congressional Budget Office (CBO), in reporting on the financial implications of this legislation indicated that the bill would reduce real income by $9 billion, lower business income, raise prices on consumers, and lower employment rates particularly in entry-level and low-skilled employment sectors costing up to 3.7 million jobs by 2025.

“The CBO is not alone in their conclusions. A study by the National Federation of Independent Business found that raising the minimum wage to $15 an hour would result in a $2 trillion reduction in real economic output. A separate study conducted following wage increases in California, New York and Oregon found that the increase will cost 2 million jobs by 2021.

“The reality is that minimum wage should not be viewed as a one-size-fits-all policy. Cost of living varies wildly across the country. Minimum wage levels are better controlled at the state or local level, which are already free to impose wages greater than the federal standard should they so choose.”

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