Original LAW Act

House Bill

H.R. 122

119th Congress

Original LAW Act

In Committee

Introduced:Jan 3, 2025

Primary Sponsor

Al Green

D - TX

Cosponsors

0

Quick Stats

Policy Area

Labor and Employment

Summary

This bill raises the federal minimum wage through a phased increase starting in 2026. It begins at 10.59 dollars per hour and increases by 4 dollars annually through 2030. After 2030, Labor Department adjusts the wage every seven years using a formula tied to living costs for a family of four to remain above poverty.

Latest Action

Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.

Introduced1/3/2025

StatusReferred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.

ChamberHouse

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Vote Prediction

Original LAW Act

This bill raises the federal minimum wage through a phased increase starting in 2026. It begins at 10.59 dollars per hour and increases by 4 dollars annually through 2030. After 2030, Labor Department adjusts the wage every seven years using a formula tied to

Community Breakdown

Pass

0%

Fail

0%

0 predictions

This bill raises the federal minimum wage through a phased increase starting in 2026. It begins at 10.59 dollars per hour and increases by 4 dollars annually through 2030. After 2030, Labor Department adjusts the wage every seven years using a formula tied to living costs for a family of four to remain above poverty.

Bill Number: 122
Introduced: 1/3/2025
Status: Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
Policy Area: Labor and Employment

Data from Congress.gov

AI-generated summary

Fact Sheet

Title: Original LAW Act
Bill Number: 122
Sponsor: No sponsor
Status: Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
Introduced: 1/3/2025
Summary: This bill raises the federal minimum wage through a phased increase starting in 2026. It begins at 10.59 dollars per hour and increases by 4 dollars annually through 2030. After 2030, Labor Department adjusts the wage every seven years using a formula tied to living costs for a family of four to rem

Data from Congress.gov

AI Summary

Plain-English explanation of this bill

This bill raises the federal minimum wage through a phased increase starting in 2026. It begins at 10.59 dollars per hour and increases by 4 dollars annually through 2030. After 2030, Labor Department adjusts the wage every seven years using a formula tied to living costs for a family of four to remain above poverty.

Last updated: 1/5/2026

Official Summary

Congressional Research Service summary

Original Living American Wage Act or the Original LAW ActThis bill increases the federal minimum wage according to a formula specified in the bill.First, the bill increases the minimum hourly wage to $10.59 beginning on January 1, 2026, and increases the minimum hourly wage by $4 annually from January 1, 2027, through January 1, 2030.Next, beginning on January 1, 2031, the Department of Labor shall increase the minimum hourly wage every seven years according to a specified formula. The formula establishes the minimum hourly wage as the wage sufficient for a person working 1,799 hours per year (approximately 35 hours per week) to earn an annual income that is 40% higher than the federal supplemental poverty threshold for a renter family of four, with two children under the age of 18, as published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics for the preceding year. However, if this formula results in a reduction, the minimum hourly wage may not be lowered.

Key Points

Main provisions of the bill

Phases in minimum wage increases starting at 10.59 dollars in 2026
Adds 4 dollars annually through 2030
Links post-2030 wage to family of four living costs
Sets wage at 40 percent above poverty threshold
Adjusts every seven years using Labor Department formula

How This Impacts Americans

Potential effects on citizens and communities

Low-wage workers would see significant pay increases over several years. A family of four would be able to stay above poverty with one full-time minimum wage earner. Businesses would face higher labor costs, particularly in states with lower current minimum wages.

Policy Areas

Primary Policy Area

Labor and Employment

Related Subjects

Housing finance and home ownership

Labor standards

Wages and earnings

Scope & Jurisdiction

Jurisdiction Level

federal

Congressional Session

119th Congress

Citation Reference

122, 119th Congress (2025). "Original LAW Act". Source: Voter's Right Platform. https://votersright.org/bills/118-hr-122

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