U.S. minimum wage increase passed by Congress
<noinclude>
{{date|May 26, 2007}}
{{United States infobox}}
An increase in the [[United States]] federal minimum wage was approved by [[US Congress|Congress]] on Thursday as part of the military funding bill. President [[George W. Bush|Bush]] is expected to sign the minimum wage increase proposal into law, as he supported it while it was in the legislative process.

The minimum wage raise was a campaign promise made by [[w:Democrats|Democrats]] in the [[w:United States general elections, 2006|2006 elections]] and is cited as one of the reasons the Democrats won control of Congress. 

Any lower minimum wage levels previously set by U.S. state legislatures will be superseded by the new federal law that boosts the minimum wage from [[w:United States dollar|US$]]5.15 to $7.25 per hour. 

The wage raise will happen gradually, being completed in two years. "Within 60 days, those who make $5.15 an hour will receive $5.85. Within a year, it will be $6.55. Within two years, it will be $7.25" according to Monique Newton of ''MyrtleBeachOnline''.

==Related news==
*{{wikinews|title=North Carolina to see minimum wage increase
|date=July 16, 2006}}

== Sources ==
*{{source|url=http://www.myrtlebeachonline.com/business/story/80678.html 
|title=Wage increase may do little for local employees
|author=Monique Newton 
|pub=MyrtleBeachOnline.com
|date=May. 26, 2007 }}
*{{source|url=http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/headline/nation/4838250.html 
|title=Dems relish victory in minimum wage raise
|author=Robin Toner and Carl Hulse: New York Times
|pub=Houston Chronicle
|date=May 26, 2007}}
*{{source|url=http://milwaukee.bizjournals.com/phoenix/stories/2007/05/21/daily41.html 
|title=Iraq funding OK boosts minimum wage
|author=
|pub=The Business Journal
|date= May 25, 2007}}

{{publish}}

{{Archived}}
[[Category:Economy and business]]
[[Category:United States]]
[[Category:North America]]
[[Category:Politics and conflicts]]
[[Category:US Congress]]


</noinclude>
An increase in the United States federal minimum wage was approved by Congress on Thursday as part of the military funding bill. President Bush is expected to sign the minimum wage increase proposal into law, as he supported it while it was in the legislative process.

The minimum wage raise was a campaign promise made by Democrats in the 2006 elections and is cited as one of the reasons the Democrats won control of Congress. 

Any lower minimum wage levels previously set by U.S. state legislatures will be superseded by the new federal law that boosts the minimum wage from US$5.15 to $7.25 per hour. 

The wage raise will happen gradually, being completed in two years. "Within 60 days, those who make $5.15 an hour will receive $5.85. Within a year, it will be $6.55. Within two years, it will be $7.25" according to Monique Newton of MyrtleBeachOnline.
Economy and business United States North America Politics and conflicts US Congress