Jump to content

  • Counties Filters

  • Latest News

  • Latest Activity

    1. 0

      Raise the Wage Act of 2024

      S. xxx IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES Mr. Coleman of Colorado (for himself and others) introduced the following bill A BILL To amend the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 to provide for a gradual increase in the federal minimum wage to $17.00 by 2029, and to provide support for small businesses in adjusting to the wage increase. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the “Raise the Wage Act of 2024.” SEC. 2. FINDINGS AND PURPOSE. Congress finds that— (1) a fair and livable wage is essential for the well-being of American workers and their families, particularly those in marginalized communities; (2) increasing the minimum wage will improve the quality of life for millions of American families and help reduce poverty; (3) a gradual increase over several years allows businesses to adapt while ensuring workers receive fair compensation; and (4) raising the minimum wage is a necessary step toward promoting economic justice, fairness, and equitable growth for working-class families. SEC. 3. MINIMUM WAGE INCREASE. Section 6(a)(1) of the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 (29 U.S.C. 206(a)(1)) is amended by striking subparagraphs (A) and (B) and inserting the following: “(A) Beginning on January 1, 2025, the minimum wage for employees shall be not less than $9.50 per hour. “(B) Beginning on January 1, 2026, the minimum wage for employees shall be not less than $11.00 per hour. “(C) Beginning on January 1, 2027, the minimum wage for employees shall be not less than $13.00 per hour. “(D) Beginning on January 1, 2028, the minimum wage for employees shall be not less than $15.00 per hour. “(E) Beginning on January 1, 2029, the minimum wage for employees shall be not less than $17.00 per hour. “(F) Beginning on January 1, 2030, and annually thereafter, the minimum wage shall be automatically adjusted based on the annual percentage increase, if any, in the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U), as determined by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.” SEC. 4. MINIMUM WAGE FOR TIPPED WORKERS. Section 3(m)(2)(A) of the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 (29 U.S.C. 203(m)(2)(A)) is amended by adding at the end the following: “(iii) Notwithstanding clauses (i) and (ii), the cash wage paid to any employee engaged in an occupation in which the employee customarily and regularly receives more than $30 a month in tips shall not be less than— “(I) $5.00 per hour, beginning on January 1, 2025; “(II) $6.00 per hour, beginning on January 1, 2026; “(III) $7.00 per hour, beginning on January 1, 2027; “(IV) $8.00 per hour, beginning on January 1, 2028; “(V) $9.50 per hour, beginning on January 1, 2029, with annual adjustments thereafter in accordance with the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers.” SEC. 5. SMALL BUSINESS SUPPORT. (a) Small Business Wage Adjustment Fund. (1) The Secretary of the Treasury, in consultation with the Administrator of the Small Business Administration (SBA), shall establish a Small Business Wage Adjustment Fund. The fund will provide tax credits and grants to small businesses to assist in the transition to higher wages. (2) The fund is authorized to provide— (A) tax credits of up to $2,500 per employee per year for businesses with fewer than 25 employees; (B) tax credits of up to $1,500 per employee per year for businesses with 25 to 50 employees; and (C) grant assistance of up to $50,000 per small business over the five-year transition period for businesses demonstrating financial hardship. (3) The total appropriation for the fund shall be $5 billion for the fiscal years 2025 through 2029. (b) Small Business Administration Training Programs. (1) The SBA shall expand its training programs to assist small businesses in transitioning to the new minimum wage. (2) An additional $500 million shall be authorized over five years to provide financial planning, wage adjustment strategies, and operational support to small businesses. (3) Priority shall be given to businesses in economically distressed areas and minority-owned businesses. SEC. 6. ENFORCEMENT AND PENALTIES. (a) Employers that fail to comply with the wage increases as provided in this Act shall be subject to fines and penalties enforced by the Department of Labor in accordance with the provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938. (b) The Secretary of Labor shall issue regulations necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act. SEC. 7. EFFECTIVE DATE. This Act shall take effect on January 1, 2025. PES: The Raise the Wage Act of 2024 gradually increases the federal minimum wage to $17 an hour by 2029 while providing support to small businesses to ease the transition. Starting at $9.50 in 2025, the wage will rise in stages until it reaches $17 by 2029, after which it will adjust annually for inflation. Tipped workers' wages will follow a similar schedule, starting at $5.00 and increasing to $9.50 by 2029, with inflation-based adjustments thereafter. To help small businesses manage these changes, the bill establishes a $5 billion Small Business Wage Adjustment Fund, offering tax credits and grants for businesses with up to 50 employees, alongside $500 million for expanded Small Business Administration training programs. These measures aim to provide businesses with financial planning and wage adjustment strategies. The Department of Labor will enforce compliance, and the Act is set to take effect on January 1, 2025.
      camilodeso in Senate Hopper
    2. 0

      United States Accountability and Transparency in UNRWA Funding Act

      IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES Mrs. Avraham (for herself) submits the following BILL Section 1: Short Title This Act may be cited as the "Accountability and Transparency in UNRWA Funding Act." Section 2: Findings Congress finds the following: The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) provides essential services to Palestinian refugees. Concerns have been raised regarding the potential employment of individuals affiliated with or members of Hamas, a U.S.-designated Foreign Terrorist Organization, within UNRWA. U.S. taxpayer dollars should not be used to support organizations that may employ individuals with ties to terrorist groups. Section 3: Prohibition on Funding to UNRWA (a) Prohibition – No funds authorized or appropriated by any Act shall be made available for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) unless the conditions in Section 4 of this Act are satisfied. Section 4: Certification and Investigation (a) Certification – Before the disbursement of any U.S. funding to UNRWA, the Secretary of State shall certify in writing to the appropriate congressional committees that: An independent, third-party organization or entity has conducted a comprehensive investigation. The investigation has determined, with sufficient evidence, that no employees or contractors of UNRWA are members of, or have ties to, Hamas or any other U.S.-designated Foreign Terrorist Organization. (b) Investigation Standards – The investigation required under this section must: Review the employment records and vetting processes of UNRWA. Include intelligence and law enforcement agencies where applicable. Provide transparency to U.S. officials, including regular updates and reports on the vetting processes and outcomes. Section 5: Reporting Requirements (a) Annual Reports – The Secretary of State, in consultation with the Secretary of Defense and Director of National Intelligence, shall submit annual reports to the appropriate congressional committees regarding: UNRWA's compliance with this Act. Any new or ongoing investigations into the employment of individuals affiliated with Hamas or other U.S.-designated terrorist organizations. (b) Public Transparency – The results of investigations and certifications under this Act shall be made available to the public, excluding sensitive or classified information. Section 6: Waiver (a) Presidential Waiver – The President may waive the requirements of this Act for a period not exceeding 180 days if: The President determines and certifies in writing to Congress that such waiver is in the national security interests of the United States. A detailed explanation is provided, justifying the necessity of the waiver. (b) Extension of Waiver – The waiver may be extended for additional periods of 180 days upon re-certification by the President to Congress that such action continues to serve U.S. national security interests.
      Avner in Senate Hopper
    3. 1

      Hamas Condemnation Resolution

      CS
      camilodeso in Senate Hopper

  • Upcoming Events

×
×
  • Create New...