Lucas--
As Vice Chair of the House Democratic Caucus – the fifth-highest-ranking position in the House Democratic leadership – one of my top priorities is to ensure all Americans are compensated fairly for their hard work. That is why I strongly support President Obama's call for an increase in the minimum wage and I applaud him for leading by example and issuing an Executive Order requiring all federal contractors to pay their employees at least $10.10 an hour.
The Executive Order is a terrific first step, but Congress must do its part too. There are millions of Americans across the country working in minimum wage jobs who cannot make ends meet, and, unfortunately, the Executive Order does not apply to them.
It is now the job of Congress to take action and increase the minimum wage across the board, for all workers. If you agree hard-working families should not have to live in poverty, please add your name to my petition telling Congress to raise the minimum wage.
What does it say that more than 50 percent of American fast food workers have to enroll their families in public assistance programs like Medicaid and food stamps? And, what does it say that women make only 77 cents for every dollar earned by a man, yet they make up half our workforce? These are the facts, but not ones I am very proud of.
I hope you agree that we cannot afford to continue to stand by and let the status quo go unchanged. Join me in this fight by adding your voice to the call for an increase in the minimum wage. It is time to demand all Americans are compensated fairly—because no one should have to work for less than they're worth.
Take a minute to add your name now.
Thanks for backing me up on this!
All the best,
Joe [Crowley]
Vice Chair, House Democratic Caucus