Wages
How far workers' pay stretches against living costs, what role government plays in pay, how high the minimum wage is set and whether it tracks inflation, and whether tipped workers and workers with disabilities may be paid less.
What they call for
DemocratsRepublicans48 new members addressed this issue (with these filters). Many call for more than one thing.
Raise wages and make sure workers are paid fairly32Raise the minimum wage24Make sure full-time work pays a living wage16Tie the minimum wage to inflation so it keeps pace6Raise pay through unions and collective bargaining6End subminimum wages for tipped workers and workers with disabilities3Help small businesses afford higher wages3Strengthen and enforce wage and overtime laws2Guarantee equal pay for equal work2
Raise wages and make sure workers are paid fairly
32 members“Lower costs and raise wages for working families”View on their website ↗
“Empower workers and small business owners to earn more and get ahead”View on their website ↗
“Promote fair compensation and benefits to build economic security”View on their website ↗
“CWA members power our communications, care for our communities, and keep essential public services running. They deserve fair wages, strong benefits, and the right to organize without interference.”View on their website ↗
“In Congress, I’ll work every day to bring down costs, raise wages, and make life affordable for everyone — not just those at the very top.”View on their website ↗
“I’m fighting to lower the cost of living for families across our district who are being squeezed by everyday costs rising faster than their paychecks. That means raising wages, cutting taxes for working families, and making the biggest corporations finally pay their fair share.”View on their website ↗
“I’m fighting to strengthen America’s workforce and ensure every Marylander who works hard can earn a fair wage and build a secure future. That means protecting workers’ rights, raising wages, expanding apprenticeship and job training programs, and making it easier for workers to organize and bargain collectively. We must also invest in workforce development and career pathways so Marylanders can access good paying jobs in growing industries.”View on their website ↗
“Growing Iowa’s economy to increase jobs and wages while continuing to invest in organized labor and union protected man hours”View on their website ↗
“As the union President of the Pennsylvania Professional Fire Fighters Association, Bob took on the politicians for higher wages, better healthcare, and benefits for all workers.”View on their website ↗
“I fought for better wages, better healthcare and better working conditions for my members.”View on their website ↗
“As Mayor of Scranton, I’ve stood with our workers, increasing wages, cutting red tape, and standing up to special interests.”View on their website ↗
“As the only candidate in this race who supports the PRO Act, I will continue delivering for our workers in Congress by protecting and expanding the right to organize, fighting for better wages and benefits, and always prioritizing Pennsylvania workers over profit.”View on their website ↗
“Labor & Jobs: Fight for fair wages, safe working conditions, and the right to organize without interference.”View on their website ↗
“My approach is about raising pay, enforcing the law, strengthening worker power, and lowering the costs that make it harder for both families and local businesses to get ahead.”View on their website ↗
Show the other 22 members
“Raise Wages & Strengthen Unions”View on their website ↗
“Lower Costs. Higher Wages.”View on their website ↗
“In Congress, I’ll fight to raise wages and support local small businesses—not by writing blank checks, but by investing in apprenticeships, vocational schools, community colleges, and job training programs that prepare Iowans for high-skill, high-wage work.”View on their website ↗
“Ensure fair pay, protections against algorithmic exploitation, and clear worker classification laws”View on their website ↗
“Support wage growth tied to the real cost of living, not outdated benchmarks.”View on their website ↗
“Workers deserve dignity, fair wages, and security.”View on their website ↗
“Raising Wages: Advocating for a living wage and ensuring pay equity.”View on their website ↗
“I’m proud to have the support of the Minnesota State Council of Machinists as we fight for lower costs, higher pay, and better working conditions for the people of southern Minnesota.”View on their website ↗
“That means cutting taxes for working families, lowering costs, standing up for small businesses, and making billionaires pay their fair share. It means strengthening workers’ rights and raising wages so people can actually get ahead.”View on their website ↗
“They deserve an elected official who matches this energy and fights for their right to quality healthcare, fair wages, safe working conditions, and collective bargaining.”View on their website ↗
“Those who serve our nation and our communities deserve the freedom to live in dignity. Service members, veterans, and those who keep our communities running (such as first responders and teachers) deserve competitive pay so they can afford homes in the communities they serve. Hospitality workers who support our $30BN tourism industry should also have access to affordable housing.”View on their website ↗
“Reject the culture wars. Secure the border. Respect immigrants. Lower costs, raise wages, and build a better future together.”View on their website ↗
“In Congress, I’ll fight for better wages, lower costs, the right to organize, and an American Dream that working families can still afford.”View on their website ↗
“Mike created good middle-class rural jobs, expanded career training programs, and raised wages for hundreds of thousands of the lowest-paid workers in the state—creating a pathway to the middle class.”View on their website ↗
“Leaders in Washington need to act now to drive up wages and drive down prices, so everyday Americans can thrive. Increase the minimum wage, build new housing, and repeal Donald Trump's disastrous tariffs.”View on their website ↗
“Working families deserve fair wages, affordable housing and relief from crushing costs.”View on their website ↗
“Boost wages, support farmers, defend labor rights, and invest in skilled trades.”View on their website ↗
“Raise wages so full-time work means security, not poverty.”View on their website ↗
“I will fight for higher wages, repeal so called “right to work” laws that weaken unions, and invest in skilled trades so young people have opportunities without drowning in debt.”View on their website ↗
“Health care workers are on the front lines for patients every day, and they deserve safe staffing, fair wages, and a real voice in the workplace.”View on their website ↗
“I believe the economy should reward work, not exploit it. That means policies that strengthen wages, protect workers from being priced out of basic necessities, and stop rewarding companies that ship jobs overseas while expecting American workers to pick up the slack.”View on their website ↗
“Over the past decade, I’ve knocked on thousands of doors all across the state, talking to folks about the issues that matter most to them, and fighting for access to reproductive healthcare, strong public schools, and better wages and protections for hardworking Nebraskans.”View on their website ↗
“Support Unions: Unions are often the only path towards fair wages amidst rising costs and inflation. Millions of Americans—teachers, nurses, ambulance workers, and other essential service workers—haven’t seen their salaries increase in years. Rising costs have made it more difficult for these hard workers to find stability and prosperity. I support workers taking collective action for fair wages and believe that families deserve economic stability.”View on their website ↗
“I stand squarely with working Americans and our labor unions. With American workers getting the lowest share of corporate profits since the Great Depression, wages flat, and more Americans facing uncertainty amidst the affordability crisis, we must do everything we can to better their lives. It is long past time for change and for passing policies to increase wages, strengthen labor rights, and protect labor unions, which have been under relentless attack by the Trump Administration and the Republican Congress.”View on their website ↗
“Raise pay and standards”View on their website ↗
“Scott will fight to rebuild union power in America and make sure bold action on housing, climate, and public transit means good union jobs and that the workers who build our roads, homes, and infrastructure have fair pay and rights.”View on their website ↗
“On City Council, Marni authored California’s first ban on untraceable ghost guns, launched affordable housing grants for teachers, raised wages, cut ambulance 911 response times, and opposed costly water and trash rate hikes to protect working families.”View on their website ↗
“RAISE WAGES AND LOWER COSTS”View on their website ↗
Raise the minimum wage
24 members“Raising the Federal Minimum Wage: $7.25 an hour is an insult to American workers. The federal minimum wage should be raised to $17 an hour and indexed to inflation.”View on their website ↗
“Raising the federal minimum wage. Follow Maryland’s lead by raising the federal minimum wage from $7.25 to $15 an hour and tie it to inflation so workers’ pay keeps pace with the cost of living.”View on their website ↗
“Led a three-year effort to raise Maryland’s minimum wage and tie future increases to inflation so workers’ pay keeps pace with the rising cost of living.”View on their website ↗
“He introduced legislation to raise the minimum wage, make schools cell-phone-free, and stop Wall Street from buying up Maryland homes.”View on their website ↗
“Raise the minimum wage.”View on their website ↗
“The last time we raised the minimum wage was 2006. We’ve fought three wars since then. We need to raise it, and tie it to inflation.”View on their website ↗
“Darializa will sign onto these bills to secure housing as a human right, universal healthcare, union protections, a $15 minimum wage and more.”View on their website ↗
“Darializa will fight to protection workers' rights, increase union density, raise the minimum wage, fund social security, to create and protect job opportunities, and more.”View on their website ↗
“Raise the Wage Act to raise the federal minimum wage from $7.25 to $15 an hour”View on their website ↗
“Raise the minimum wage to $15 an hour”View on their website ↗
“Raise the federal minimum wage to $15/hour.”View on their website ↗
“Increasing the federal minimum wage to $15 an hour – which is just the start for creating living wages in our state – with a rolling implementation plan starting with corporate players first, midsize businesses and then small businesses.”View on their website ↗
“People who work full-time should make enough money to feed their families and pay their bills. Public servants like teachers, farmers, and custodians are the foundation of our communities but often don’t make enough to live. Everyone should make a living wage of at least $15 an hour – but Congress hasn’t raised the minimum wage in 17 years despite prices skyrocketing.”View on their website ↗
“As a state legislator, I fought for and voted to pass Illinois’ minimum wage increase into law, a critical step that helped lift wages across our state and support higher local standards like Chicago’s minimum wage.”View on their website ↗
“I will support and sponsor legislation that raises federal wage standards beyond outdated levels and prevents wages from falling behind again.”View on their website ↗
“In the Illinois legislature, I helped pass laws raising wage floors, protecting worker rights, and expanding anti-discrimination protections that benefit women in the workforce.”View on their website ↗
“Raise the federal minimum wage to at least $15 per hour and fix it permanently by tying it to the rate of inflation.”View on their website ↗
“Raising the federal minimum wage”View on their website ↗
“I'll raise the minimum wage, tax billionaires, strengthen unions, and rein in corporate price gouging.”View on their website ↗
Show the other 14 members
“Roll Back Tariffs, Raise the Minimum Wage”View on their website ↗
“For too long, the minimum wage in this country has remained stagnant. I believe we need to raise the minimum wage to $15 per hour.”View on their website ↗
“We need to raise the minimum wage.”View on their website ↗
“In these positions, he has played a key role in passing landmark laws to strengthen gun control, protect abortion access, and raise the minimum wage.”View on their website ↗
“Raise the minimum wage across the nation and index it to inflation.”View on their website ↗
“Leaders in Washington need to act now to drive up wages and drive down prices, so everyday Americans can thrive. Increase the minimum wage, build new housing, and repeal Donald Trump's disastrous tariffs.”View on their website ↗
“Nobody working full-time should live in poverty. Raising the federal minimum wage will give families stability and restore dignity to the work that keeps this country alive.”View on their website ↗
“I support raising the minimum wage and strengthening unions, which will allow workers to bargain for better wages and benefits.”View on their website ↗
“Rep. Rabb introduced legislation to move Pennsylvania to 100% renewable energy by 2050, authored the bill to end ICE collaboration in Pennsylvania in 2017, and introduced legislation to establish a living minimum wage and end the inequitable tipped minimum wage loophole.”View on their website ↗
“I’ll support policies that reduce income inequality. A strong middle class is essential for a healthy economy, and I’ll work to create good-paying jobs, raise the federal minimum wage, and ensure that all Americans have the opportunity to succeed.”View on their website ↗
“I believe we should invest in families and strengthen our workforce by raising the minimum wage and requiring paid parental leave, which can be supported by utilizing current unemployment insurance programs.”View on their website ↗
“Claire will cosponsor The Raise the Wage Act to raise the federal minimum wage to $17 by 2030. This legislation will eliminate the subminimum wage (below $7.25) for tipped and youth workers and for workers with disabilities. Claire will also continue to support New York City’s push for a $30 by 2030 minimum wage to address the high cost of living in the five boroughs.”View on their website ↗
“Raise the minimum wage If the minimum wage kept up with worker productivity over the past 50 years, it would be $25 an hour. Instead, it’s just $7.25. I dare any sitting DC politician to explain to ordinary Americans how they would survive on $7.25 an hour, let alone support a family. Many full time workers need government programs to survive, which means more middle and working class taxes for us. It’s time to raise the wage so everyone who works hard can have their basic needs met, and ease the burden on our support systems.”View on their website ↗
“We must immediately raise the federal minimum wage, protect workers' rights to form and join unions, and ensure equal pay and paid family leave for all employees.”View on their website ↗
“Raise the federal minimum wage to a living wage. Scott supports the Living Wage for All Act, which raises the minimum hourly wage to $25 by 2031 for large employers, and other efforts including Senator Sanders' Raise the Wage Act.”View on their website ↗
“Support raising the federal minimum wage”View on their website ↗
Make sure full-time work pays a living wage
16 members“Over two decades, he helped negotiate fairer contracts, fought for better healthcare, livable wages, and safer working conditions, and became a voice in Harrisburg for working families across the state.”View on their website ↗
“Increasing the federal minimum wage to $15 an hour – which is just the start for creating living wages in our state – with a rolling implementation plan starting with corporate players first, midsize businesses and then small businesses.”View on their website ↗
“People who work full-time should make enough money to feed their families and pay their bills. Public servants like teachers, farmers, and custodians are the foundation of our communities but often don’t make enough to live. Everyone should make a living wage of at least $15 an hour – but Congress hasn’t raised the minimum wage in 17 years despite prices skyrocketing.”View on their website ↗
“If you work full time, your wages should cover the basic cost of living in the community where you live. That is the benchmark I will fight for.”View on their website ↗
“For a lot of us in Montana, costs have reached crisis levels. Every Montanan should be able to work a job that pays well enough to afford housing, healthcare, childcare, and a good retirement.”View on their website ↗
“Everyone working a full-time job deserves a living wage, basic protections, and the right to organize.”View on their website ↗
“Support wage growth tied to the real cost of living, not outdated benchmarks.”View on their website ↗
“Raising Wages: Advocating for a living wage and ensuring pay equity.”View on their website ↗
“We need an economy where every full-time job supports a full life, whether it’s in food services or investment banking. Where our kids can eventually afford to move out of the house and start a life of their own. Where a single parent’s take home pay is more than enough. And where automation technologies give us more time with our family, not fewer job opportunities.”View on their website ↗
“One job should be enough to buy a home, raise a family, and retire with dignity.”View on their website ↗
“Driven to fight for hardworking families like his own, Donavan led coalition work with SEIU Healthcare Michigan, organizing for workers to earn a living wage and be able to provide for their family.”View on their website ↗
“I’m fighting for all my union family and for every worker to have the right to form a union, earn a living wage, and be able to provide for their family.”View on their website ↗
“She believes working one job should allow you to provide for your family through a livable wage, benefits, and the ability to retire with dignity.”View on their website ↗
Show the other 6 members
“Build the green energy economy here, with union labor and wages a family can actually live on.”View on their website ↗
“Raise wages so full-time work means security, not poverty.”View on their website ↗
“Nobody working full-time should live in poverty. Raising the federal minimum wage will give families stability and restore dignity to the work that keeps this country alive.”View on their website ↗
“Universal Basic Income and a Living Wage for All”View on their website ↗
“Universal basic income and a living wage for all will help tackle the affordability crisis, but we must also create direct public services, including national grocery stores, free high-speed public transit, and high-speed gigabit broadband for every household.”View on their website ↗
“Rep. Rabb introduced legislation to move Pennsylvania to 100% renewable energy by 2050, authored the bill to end ICE collaboration in Pennsylvania in 2017, and introduced legislation to establish a living minimum wage and end the inequitable tipped minimum wage loophole.”View on their website ↗
“If someone is working full-time, there is no reason their paycheck shouldn’t cover food & rent. This shouldn’t be controversial.”View on their website ↗
“And she will support expanding social programs that ensure everyone has a right to health care, living wages, and paid time off.”View on their website ↗
“Ensure everyone has the freedom to live a good life by guaranteeing a job with a living wage, paid parental and sick leave, quality health care, and a dignified retirement.”View on their website ↗
“In Congress, Claire will fight to ensure that everyone is able to receive high quality health care, a living wage, time with their loved ones, and a strong social safety net whether you’re employed, out of work, or retired.”View on their website ↗
“Raise the minimum wage If the minimum wage kept up with worker productivity over the past 50 years, it would be $25 an hour. Instead, it’s just $7.25. I dare any sitting DC politician to explain to ordinary Americans how they would survive on $7.25 an hour, let alone support a family. Many full time workers need government programs to survive, which means more middle and working class taxes for us. It’s time to raise the wage so everyone who works hard can have their basic needs met, and ease the burden on our support systems.”View on their website ↗
“Raise the federal minimum wage to a living wage. Scott supports the Living Wage for All Act, which raises the minimum hourly wage to $25 by 2031 for large employers, and other efforts including Senator Sanders' Raise the Wage Act.”View on their website ↗
Tie the minimum wage to inflation so it keeps pace
6 members“Raising the Federal Minimum Wage: $7.25 an hour is an insult to American workers. The federal minimum wage should be raised to $17 an hour and indexed to inflation.”View on their website ↗
“Raising the federal minimum wage. Follow Maryland’s lead by raising the federal minimum wage from $7.25 to $15 an hour and tie it to inflation so workers’ pay keeps pace with the cost of living.”View on their website ↗
“Led a three-year effort to raise Maryland’s minimum wage and tie future increases to inflation so workers’ pay keeps pace with the rising cost of living.”View on their website ↗
“The last time we raised the minimum wage was 2006. We’ve fought three wars since then. We need to raise it, and tie it to inflation.”View on their website ↗
“I will support and sponsor legislation that raises federal wage standards beyond outdated levels and prevents wages from falling behind again.”View on their website ↗
“Raise the federal minimum wage to at least $15 per hour and fix it permanently by tying it to the rate of inflation.”View on their website ↗
“Raise the minimum wage across the nation and index it to inflation.”View on their website ↗
“Worked successfully to finally index New York’s minimum wage to inflation.”View on their website ↗
Raise pay through unions and collective bargaining
6 members“As the union President of the Pennsylvania Professional Fire Fighters Association, Bob took on the politicians for higher wages, better healthcare, and benefits for all workers.”View on their website ↗
“Over two decades, he helped negotiate fairer contracts, fought for better healthcare, livable wages, and safer working conditions, and became a voice in Harrisburg for working families across the state.”View on their website ↗
“Driven to fight for hardworking families like his own, Donavan led coalition work with SEIU Healthcare Michigan, organizing for workers to earn a living wage and be able to provide for their family.”View on their website ↗
“Cleanup work, water treatment, grid upgrades, and energy construction are jobs. My concern is making sure they are union jobs with real wages, not the low pay work that leaves families no better off than before.”View on their website ↗
“I support raising the minimum wage and strengthening unions, which will allow workers to bargain for better wages and benefits.”View on their website ↗
“Support Unions: Unions are often the only path towards fair wages amidst rising costs and inflation. Millions of Americans—teachers, nurses, ambulance workers, and other essential service workers—haven’t seen their salaries increase in years. Rising costs have made it more difficult for these hard workers to find stability and prosperity. I support workers taking collective action for fair wages and believe that families deserve economic stability.”View on their website ↗
“Establish sectoral bargaining to empower workers across the economy. Establish federal wage boards to set higher standards for workers in key sectors and boost union density.”View on their website ↗
End subminimum wages for tipped workers and workers with disabilities
3 members“I will fight to end subminimum wages that leave tipped workers and workers with disabilities earning far below the real cost of living.”View on their website ↗
“Rep. Rabb introduced legislation to move Pennsylvania to 100% renewable energy by 2050, authored the bill to end ICE collaboration in Pennsylvania in 2017, and introduced legislation to establish a living minimum wage and end the inequitable tipped minimum wage loophole.”View on their website ↗
“Claire will cosponsor The Raise the Wage Act to raise the federal minimum wage to $17 by 2030. This legislation will eliminate the subminimum wage (below $7.25) for tipped and youth workers and for workers with disabilities. Claire will also continue to support New York City’s push for a $30 by 2030 minimum wage to address the high cost of living in the five boroughs.”View on their website ↗
Help small businesses afford higher wages
3 members“Increasing the federal minimum wage to $15 an hour – which is just the start for creating living wages in our state – with a rolling implementation plan starting with corporate players first, midsize businesses and then small businesses.”View on their website ↗
“My approach pairs higher wage standards with targeted support for truly small, locally owned businesses. That means lowering health care costs, improving access to affordable credit, enforcing labor laws evenly, and ensuring that responsible employers are not punished while bad actors cut corners.”View on their website ↗
“Expand access to targeted tax credits for small businesses that are hiring, increasing wages, or investing in their workforce, especially in high-cost areas like the Lowcountry.”View on their website ↗
Strengthen and enforce wage and overtime laws
2 members“Support workers’ rights and unions to ensure the right to organize and strengthen fair wage and labor laws to improve job security in New Jersey.”View on their website ↗
“My approach is about raising pay, enforcing the law, strengthening worker power, and lowering the costs that make it harder for both families and local businesses to get ahead.”View on their website ↗
“My approach pairs higher wage standards with targeted support for truly small, locally owned businesses. That means lowering health care costs, improving access to affordable credit, enforcing labor laws evenly, and ensuring that responsible employers are not punished while bad actors cut corners.”View on their website ↗
Guarantee equal pay for equal work
2 members“Raising Wages: Advocating for a living wage and ensuring pay equity.”View on their website ↗
“We must immediately raise the federal minimum wage, protect workers' rights to form and join unions, and ensure equal pay and paid family leave for all employees.”View on their website ↗
Raised the issue without a specific call
2 members“Wages have stagnated, and corporate giants have squeezed out small businesses.”View on their website ↗
“The minimum wage of $7.25 in Pennsylvania is outrageous. It’s lower than any surrounding state, including West Virginia. At PA’s minimum wage, an hour’s worth of work barely buys a gallon of milk and a loaf of bread.”View on their website ↗
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