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Living Wage For All Act
Introduced Jul 14, 2026 · Last action Jul 14, 2026 — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
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Summary
This legislation is called the Living Wage For All Act. It is being reviewed by a committee.
Full bill text
[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 4981 Introduced in Senate (IS)]
<DOC>
119th CONGRESS
2d Session
S. 4981
To place the Federal minimum wage on a durable path toward a living
wage aligned with the national median wage, to require large, highly
profitable corporations to lead the transition, to end all subminimum
wages, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
July 14, 2026
Mr. Murphy (for himself, Mr. Blumenthal, Mr. Wyden, and Mr. Kim)
introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the
Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To place the Federal minimum wage on a durable path toward a living
wage aligned with the national median wage, to require large, highly
profitable corporations to lead the transition, to end all subminimum
wages, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Living Wage For All Act''.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS AND PURPOSE.
(a) Findings.--Congress finds the following:
(1) It is a national priority that work pays a living wage
to all workers and that the Federal minimum wage be aligned
with the actual cost of living. The wage increases established
by this Act, including the attainment of a $25 hourly wage, are
steps toward that goal and shall be followed by continued
adjustments to ensure that the minimum wage remains responsive
to changes in wages and economic conditions over time.
(2) Based on the best available data, including wage data
from the Bureau of Labor Statistics and economic projections
from the Congressional Budget Office, a minimum wage of at
least $25 per hour represents a conservative baseline step
toward aligning wages with the cost of living nationwide.
(3) Large, highly profitable corporations have the greatest
capacity to raise wages and should therefore lead the
transition to higher wage standards before smaller employers.
(4) A Federal minimum wage aligned with median wages over
the long-term ensures that wage standards rise with the
economy, prevents future erosion of purchasing power, reduces
reliance on public assistance, and promotes broad-based
economic growth.
(b) Purpose.--The purpose of this Act is to place the Federal
minimum wage on a durable path toward a living wage that remains
indexed to wage growth thereafter, while requiring large corporations
to lead the transition and providing additional adjustment time for
other employers.
SEC. 3. DEFINITION OF LARGE EMPLOYER.
Section 3 of the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 (29 U.S.C. 203)
is amended by adding at the end the following:
``(z) `Large employer' means any employer that--
``(1) has an annual gross revenue of $1,000,000,000 or
more; or
``(2) employs 500 or more employees throughout the United
States.''.
SEC. 4. MINIMUM WAGE INCREASES.
Section 6(a)(1) of the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 (29 U.S.C.
206(a)(1)) is amended to read as follows:
``(1) except as otherwise provided in this section--
``(A) for purposes of such an employer that is a
large employer, not less than--
``(i) $12.00 per hour, beginning on the
effective date under section 10 of the Living
Wage For All Act;(ii) $15.00 per hour,
beginning 1 year after such effective date;
``(iii) $18.00 per hour, beginning 2 years
after such effective date;
``(iv) $20.00 per hour, beginning 3 years
after such effective date;
``(v) $22.50 per hour, beginning 4 years
after such effective date;
``(vi) $25.00 per hour, beginning 5 years
after such effective date; and
``(vii) beginning on the date that is 6
years after such effective date, and annually
thereafter, the greater of--
``(I) amount in effect under this
subparagraph for the preceding year; or
``(II) the amount described in
subsection (h); and
``(B) for purposes of an employer that is not a
large employer, not less than--
``(i) $12.00 per hour, beginning on the
effective date under section 10 of the Living
Wage For All Act;
``(ii) $14.00 per hour, beginning 1 year
after such effective date;
``(iii) $16.00 per hour, beginning 2 years
after such effective date;
``(iv) $18.00 per hour, beginning 3 years
after such effective date;
``(v) $20.00 per hour, beginning 4 years
after such effective date;
``(vi) $20.60 per hour, beginning 5 years
after such effective date;
``(vii) $21.20 per hour, beginning 6 years
after such effective date;
``(viii) $21.80 per hour, beginning 7 years
after such effective date;
``(ix) $22.40 per hour, beginning 8 years
after such effective date;
``(x) $23.00 per hour, beginning 9 years
after such effective date;
``(xi) $23.60 per hour, beginning 10 years
after such effective date;
``(xii) $24.20 per hour, beginning 11 years
after such effective date;
``(xiii) $25.00 per hour, beginning 12
years after such effective date; and
``(xiv) beginning on the date that is 13
years after such effective date, and annually
thereafter, the greater of--
``(I) amount in effect under this
subparagraph for the preceding year; or
``(II) the amount described in
subsection (h).''.
SEC. 5. NATIONAL MEDIAN HOURLY WAGE.
Section 6 of the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 (29 U.S.C. 206)
is amended by adding at the end the following:
``(h) Determination Based on the National Median Hourly Wage.--
``(1) In general.--The amount described in this subsection
is the amount published by the Secretary under paragraph (2)
for purposes of the relevant calendar year.
``(2) Determination.--For each calendar year beginning 6
years after the date of enactment of the Living Wage For All
Act, the Secretary shall publish, not later than October 1 of
the preceding calendar year, the amount for purposes of this
subsection that is equal to two-thirds of the median hourly
wage for all employees as provided in the most recently
published Current Population Survey by the Bureau of Labor
Statistics as of the date of publication.''.
SEC. 6. TIPPED EMPLOYEES.
(a) Base Minimum Wage for Tipped Employees and Tips Retained by
Employees.--Section 3(m)(2)(A)(i) of the Fair Labor Standards Act of
1938 (29 U.S.C. 203(m)(2)(A)(i)) is amended to read as follows:
``(i) the cash wage paid such employee, which for purposes
of such determination shall be not less than--
``(I) for purposes of such an employer that is a
large employer--
``(aa) $6.00 an hour, beginning on the
effective date under section 10 of the Living
Wage For All Act;
``(bb) $9.00 an hour, beginning 1 year
after such effective date;
``(cc) $12.00 an hour, beginning 2 years
after such effective date;
``(dd) $15.00 an hour, beginning 3 years
after such effective date;
``(ee) $18.00 an hour, beginning 4 years
after such effective date; and
``(ff) beginning 5 years after such
effective date, and annually thereafter, the
minimum wage in effect under section
6(a)(1)(A); and
``(II) for purposes of an employer that is not a
large employer--
``(aa) $4.75 an hour, beginning on the
effective date under section 10 of the Living
Wage For All Act; and
``(bb) beginning 1 year after such
effective date, and annually thereafter, an
hourly wage that is the lesser of--
``(AA) an hourly wage equal to the
amount determined under this subclause
for the preceding year increased by
$1.75; or
``(BB) the minimum wage rate in
effect under section 6(a)(1)(B); and''.
(b) Tips Retained by Employees.--Section 3(m)(2)(A) of the Fair
Labor Standards Act of 1938 (29 U.S.C. 203(m)(2)(A)) is amended--
(1) in the second sentence of the matter following clause
(ii), by striking ``of this subsection, and all tips received
by such employee have been retained by the employee'' and
inserting ``of this subsection. Any employee shall have the
right to retain any tips received by such employee''; and
(2) by adding at the end the following: ``An employer shall
inform each employee of the right and exception provided under
the preceding sentence.''.
(c) Scheduled Repeal of Separate Minimum Wage for Tipped
Employees.--
(1) Tipped employees.--
(A) In general.--Section 3(m)(2)(A) of the Fair
Labor Standards Act of 1938 (29 U.S.C. 203(m)(2)(A)),
as amended by subsections (a) and (b), is further
amended by striking the sentence beginning with ``In
determining the wage an employer is required to pay a
tipped employee,'' and all that follows through ``of
this subsection.'' and inserting ``The wage required to
be paid to a tipped employee shall be the wage set
forth in section 6(a)(1) for the relevant employer.''.
(B) Effective date.--The amendment made by
subparagraph (A) shall take effect on the date that is
1 day after the date on which the minimum cash wage
rate required under section 3(m)(2)(A)(i)(II)(bb) first
equals the minimum wage in effect under section
6(a)(1)(B).
(2) Publication of notice for large employers.--
(A) In general.--Subsection (i) of section 6 of the
Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 (29 U.S.C. 206), as
added by section 8 of the Living Wage For All Act, is
amended by striking ``subclauses (I) and'' and
inserting ``subclause''.
(B) Effective date.--The amendment made by
subparagraph (A) shall take effect on the date that is
1 day after the date on which the minimum cash wage
rate required under section 3(m)(2)(A)(i)(I)(ff) takes
effect.
(3) Publication of notice for other employers.--
(A) In general.--Subsection (i) of section 6 of the
Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 (29 U.S.C. 206), as
added by section 8 of the Living Wage For All Act and
amended by paragraph (2), is further amended by
striking ``or in accordance with subclause (II) of
section 3(m)(2)(A)(i)''.
(B) Effective date.--The amendment made by
subparagraph (A) shall take effect on the date
described in paragraph (1)(B).
(d) Penalties.--Section 16 of the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938
(29 U.S.C. 216) is amended--
(1) in the third sentence of subsection (b), by inserting
``or used'' after ``kept'';
(2) in the seventh sentence of subsection (c), by inserting
``or used'' after ``kept''; and
(3) in the second sentence of subsection (e)(2), by
inserting ``or used'' after ``kept''.
SEC. 7. YOUTH WORKERS.
(a) Base Minimum Wage for Newly Hired Employees Who Are Less Than
20 Years Old.--Section 6(g)(1) of the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938
(29 U.S.C. 206(g)(1)) is amended by striking ``a wage which is not less
than $4.25 an hour.'' and inserting the following: ``a wage at a rate
that is not less than--
``(A) for the 1-year period beginning on the effective date
under section 10 of the Living Wage For All Act, $6.00 an hour;
and
``(B) for each succeeding 1-year period beginning after the
increase made pursuant to subparagraph (A)--
``(i) for purposes of an employer that is a large
employer, an hourly wage that is the lesser of--
``(I) an hourly wage rate equal to the
amount determined under this clause for the
preceding year increased by $1.75; or
``(II) the minimum wage rate in effect
under section 6(a)(1)(A); and
``(ii) for purposes of an employer that is not a
large employer, an hourly wage that is the lesser of--
``(I) an hourly wage rate equal to the
amount determined under this clause for the
preceding year increased by $1.75; or
``(II) the minimum wage rate in effect
under section 6(a)(1)(B).''.
(b) Scheduled Repeal of Separate Minimum Wage for Newly Hired
Employees Who Are Less Than 20 Years Old.--
(1) In general.--Section 6(g) of the Fair Labor Standards
Act of 1938 (29 U.S.C. 206(g)), as amended by subsection (a),
shall be repealed.
(2) Publication of notice.--Subsection (i) of section 6 of
the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 (29 U.S.C. 206), as added
by section 8 of the Living Wage For All Act, is amended by
striking ``or subsection (g)(1)''.
(3) Effective date.--The repeal and amendment made by
paragraphs (1) and (2), respectively, shall take effect on the
date that is 1 day after the first date on which--
(A) the hourly wage under section 6(g)(1)(B)(i)
equals the minimum wage in effect under section
6(a)(1)(A); and
(B) the hourly wage under section 6(g)(1)(B)(ii)
equals the minimum wage in effect under section
6(a)(1)(B).
SEC. 8. PUBLICATION OF NOTICE.
Section 6 of the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 (29 U.S.C. 206),
as amended by this Act, is further amended by adding at the end the
following:
``(i) Not later than 60 days prior to the effective date of any
increase in a required wage determined under subparagraph (A) or (B) of
subsection (a)(1) or subsection (g)(1) or in accordance with subclauses
(I) and (II) of section 3(m)(2)(A)(i) or section 14(c)(1)(A), the
Secretary shall publish in the Federal Register and on the website of
the Department of Labor a notice announcing each increase in such
required wage.''.
SEC. 9. EMPLOYEES WITH DISABILITIES.
(a) Wages.--
(1) Transition to living wages for individuals with
disabilities.--Subparagraph (A) of section 14(c)(1) of the Fair
Labor Standards Act of 1938 (29 U.S.C. 214(c)(1)) is amended to
read as follows:
``(A) at a rate that is not less than--
``(i) $5.00 an hour, for the 1-year period
beginning on the effective date under section 10 of the
Living Wage For All Act;
``(ii) for each succeeding 1-year period beginning
after the increase made pursuant to clause (i)--
``(I) for purposes of an employer that is a
large employer, an hourly wage that is the
lesser of--
``(aa) an hourly wage rate equal to
the amount determined under this
subclause for the preceding year
increased by $1.75; or
``(bb) the minimum wage rate in
effect under section 6(a)(1)(A); and
``(II) for purposes of an employer that is
not a large employer, an hourly wage that is
the lesser of--
``(aa) an hourly wage rate equal to
the amount determined under this
subclause for the preceding year
increased by $1.75; or
``(bb) the minimum wage rate in
effect under section 6(a)(1)(B); and
``(iii) if applicable, the wage rate in effect on
the day before the date of enactment of the Living Wage
For All Act for the employment, under a special
certificate issued under this paragraph, of the
individual for whom the wage rate is being determined
under this subparagraph,''.
(2) Prohibition on new special certificates; transition
assistance.--
(A) In general.--Section 14(c) of the Fair Labor
Standards Act of 1938 (29 U.S.C. 214(c)) is amended by
adding at the end the following:
``(6) Prohibition on New Special Certificates.--Notwithstanding
paragraph (1), the Secretary shall not issue a special certificate
under this subsection to an employer that was not issued a special
certificate under this subsection before the date of enactment of the
Living Wage For All Act.
``(7) Transition Assistance.--Upon request, the Secretary shall
provide--
``(A) technical assistance and information to employers
issued a special certificate under this subsection for the
purposes of--
``(i) assisting such employers to comply with this
subsection, as amended by the Living Wage For All Act;
and
``(ii) ensuring continuing employment opportunities
for individuals with disabilities receiving a special
minimum wage rate under this subsection; and
``(B) information to individuals employed at a special
minimum wage rate under this subsection, which may include
referrals to Federal or State entities with expertise in
competitive integrated employment.''.
(B) Effective date.--The amendments made by this
paragraph shall take effect on the date of enactment of
this Act.
(3) Sunset.--Section 14(c) of the Fair Labor Standards Act
of 1938 (29 U.S.C. 214(c)), as amended by paragraph (2), is
further amended by adding at the end the following:
``(8) Sunset.--The authority to issue special certificates under
paragraph (1) shall expire, and no special certificates issued under
such paragraph shall have any legal effect, beginning on the date that
is 1 day after the first date on which--
``(A) the wage rate described in paragraph (1)(A)(ii)(I)
equals the minimum wage in effect under section 6(a)(1)(A); and
``(B) the wage rate described in paragraph (1)(A)(ii)(II)
equals the minimum wage in effect under section 6(a)(1)(B).''.
(b) Publication of Notice.--
(1) Amendment.--Subsection (i) of section 6 of the Fair
Labor Standards Act of 1938 (29 U.S.C. 206), as added by
section 8 of the Living Wage For All Act, is amended by
striking ``or section 14(c)(1)(A)''.
(2) Effective date.--The amendment made by paragraph (1)
shall take effect on the day after the first date on which--
(A) the wage rate described in section
14(c)(1)(A)(ii)(I) equals the minimum wage in effect
under section 6(a)(1)(A); and
(B) the wage rate described in section
14(c)(1)(A)(ii)(II) equals the minimum wage in effect
under section 6(a)(1)(B).
SEC. 10. EFFECTIVE DATE.
Except as otherwise provided, this Act and the amendments made by
this Act shall take effect on the first day of the calendar year that
begins after the date of enactment of this Act.
<all>Official legislative text sourced from the public record (cached on CivicsHQ).
Official source
View the original bill, actions, and full legislative record on Congress.gov.
Status
In Committee
- 1Introduced
- 2Committee
- 3Floor
- 4Passed
- 5Signed
Timeline reflects current normalized status only. Full action history is not yet stored in the API.
Sponsors
- Sen. Murphy, Christopher [D-CT]DSenateCT
Votes
Voting records are not yet available for this bill.