The U.S. House of Representatives passed the Raise the Wage Act (H.R. 582), 231-199, to raise the federal minimum wage from $7.25/hour to $15/hour over the course of six years, with increases afterward automatically pegged to inflation. The passage of the bill was a hotly contentious issue within the Democratic Caucus, as many moderate members worried that supporting an increase could alienate the businesses. Six democrats chose to vote in opposition to the legislation.

While it is improbable that the Republican-controlled Senate will take up the bill, some believe that changes through a compromise on the increase in the federal minimum wage could be on the near-term horizon. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce sent a letter to lawmakers voicing their opposition to H.R. 582 but did concede that a double-digit minimum wage closer to $10/hour could be done if it were included in a legislative package alongside other needed reforms.