The Daily Observer London Desk: Reporter- Donna Robert
Republican senators on Wednesday announced legislation to gradually raise the national minimum wage to $11, but tied it to requiring businesses to use E-Verify, a tool that would help prevent illegal immigrants from taking jobs.
Led by Sens. Tom Cotton of Arkansas and Mitt Romney of Utah, the proposal explicitly links illegal immigration and U.S. wages, a touchy issue for many in Washington.
“American workers today compete against millions of illegal immigrants for too few jobs with wages that are too low — that’s unfair,” Mr. Cotton said. “Ending the black market for illegal labor will open up jobs for Americans. Raising the minimum wage will allow Americans filling those jobs to better support their families. Our bill does both.”
The federal minimum wage currently stands at $7.25 an hour, though most states set their minimum higher.
The GOP senators’ plan would hike the rate to $11 over four years, then tie future increases to inflation, updated every two years. Small businesses would get a longer phase-in.
E-Verify is the government’s electronic system for checking new hires’ work eligibility. It’s voluntary at the federal level, though some states have required its use for businesses in their jurisdictions.
The GOP bill would phase in mandatory use over 18 months and increase penalties on businesses that still hire illegal immigrants.
The senators introduced the plan in the last Congress, but it didn’t advance in the Democrat-led Senate.
