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LEGISLATIVE / REGULATORY UPDATES Congress Considers Increase in Federal Minimum Wage On January 10, 2007, the House of Representatives approved H.R. 2, a bill that would increase the national minimum wage to $7.25 per hour over a two-year period. (The first increase would put the minimum wage at $5.85 per hour, beginning 60 days after the bill is enacted. One year after the first increase, the minimum wage will be $6.55 per hour; one year later, the minimum wage will be $7.25 per hour.) On February 1, 2007, the Senate passed their own minimum wage bill with a 94-3 vote. Congress has taken note of the economic impact this legislation will have on employers. The House of Representatives has pushed a bill that would provide $1.8 billion in tax breaks over 10 years to small businesses. The Senate also proposed legislation providing tax breaks, but the Senate tax breaks of $8.3 billion are over four times the amount the House was originally seeking. Once the differences in these two bills can be ironed out, employers can expect to see congressional consensus on an increase in the minimum wage. NEXT: Equal Pay Act is Not Violated When There is Disparity in Pay Levels of Two Job Categories, When Each Category Has Both Male and Female Employees
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