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WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator Tom Udall delivered a speech on the Senate floor to urge support for increasing the federal minimum wage. Udall is a cosponsor of the Minimum Wage Fairness Act, a bill to increase the minimum wage to $10.10 per hour over the next two years, which the Senate is scheduled to consider on the floor this week. To illustrate the need for the bill and its widespread support throughout New Mexico, Udall mentioned several of the many letters he has received from constituents who have written to express their support for the bill. He discussed the benefits the legislation would have for New Mexico families and the state's economy.

"$7.25 may just be a number to some, but not for so many families in my state – struggling to get by," Udall said. "It means working two or three jobs just to put food on the table, or fill up the gas tank, or buy clothes for their children, and still not be able to climb out of poverty. Our nation was founded on a basic promise that no matter who you are – if you work hard – you can get ahead. We haven't always kept that promise. We have the opportunity to do so this week for millions of hardworking men and women – young and old – who are paid the minimum wage."

The Minimum Wage Fairness Act would gradually increase the minimum wage to $10.10 per hour over the two years following the bill's enactment, and would tie the minimum wage to the Consumer Price Index in following years. If enacted, the legislation would put over $200 million into the hands of New Mexico workers, and boost New Mexico's Gross Domestic Product by $127 million. About 147,000 New Mexicans would receive a raise, and over 35,000 would be lifted out of poverty.