Portrait of Bernie Sanders
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Bernie Sanders on Minimum Wage

Strong minimum wage advocate (strong)

Bernie Sanders is a vocal and consistent champion for raising the federal minimum wage, viewing the current rate as morally indefensible and economically insufficient for a dignified life. He asserts that in the richest country in the world, no one working 40 hours a week should live in poverty, calling the existing federal minimum wage a "starvation wage." Sanders links the minimum wage increase to broader economic health, arguing that putting money into the pockets of workers who will spend it locally acts as a strong economic stimulant for Main Street America.

Context

Bernie Sanders's advocacy for a higher minimum wage is central to his broader economic platform as a self-described democratic socialist and progressive populist. His focus on this issue is directly tied to his critique of what he terms "uber-capitalism" and its impact on the working class. As a legislator across House and Senate terms, his consistent sponsorship and support of related bills demonstrate a long-standing commitment to improving the standard of living for low-wage earners.

Timeline

  1. Introduced the Living Wage Act to raise the minimum wage from $4.25 to $5.50 per hour, arguing the existing wage was a 'starvation wage.'
  2. Pushed for a minimum wage increase to $10.10 per hour via a budget amendment, noting the erosion of purchasing power.
  3. Proposed an amendment to set the federal minimum wage at $15 per hour, supported by a large group of economists.
  4. Co-sponsored the Raise the Wage Act, which aimed to raise the federal minimum wage to $15/hour by 2024.
  5. Continued pushing for a living wage, highlighting that the federal minimum wage had lost significant purchasing power since 2009.
  6. Advocated for raising the federal minimum wage to at least $17 an hour over five years.

Actions Taken

  1. Legislation
    Introduced the Living Wage Act (HR 692) to raise the federal minimum wage from $4.25 to $5.50 per hour, noting that the current rate left workers below the poverty level.
  2. Legislation
    Proposed and argued for a budget amendment to raise the federal minimum wage to $10.10 per hour.
  3. Legislation
    Proposed an amendment to make the federal minimum wage $15 per hour by 2020, aligning with recommendations from 200 professional economists.
  4. Legislation
    Introduced the Raise the Wage Act in the Senate, which proposed gradually increasing the minimum wage to $15/hour by 2024 and phasing out subminimum wages for tipped workers, youth, and workers with disabilities.
  5. Legislation
    Introduced legislation to raise the minimum wage again, this time aiming for at least $17 an hour over five years.
  6. Legislation
    Advocated for a $15 an hour minimum wage for federal contract workers in a bill introduced in April 2017.

Key Quotes

“In the year 2025, in the richest country in the history of world, nobody should be forced to work for starvation wages,”

TruthOut article April 10, 2025 — Stating his position on wages in the current year.

“It is not a radical idea to say a job should lift you out of poverty, not keep you in it. The current $7.25 an hour federal minimum wage is a starvation wage. It must be increased to a living wage of $15 an hour.”

House.gov press release January 19, 2019 — Upon introducing the Raise the Wage Act.

“We cannot desert them.”

Congressional press release January 1, 1993 — Regarding workers earning sub-poverty wages in 1993.

Related Positions

  • Raise the Wage Act This is the primary legislative vehicle Sanders has used to pursue his minimum wage goals.
  • Income and wealth inequality Sanders views raising the minimum wage as a core strategy to combat income and wealth inequality.
Sources5

* This is not an exhaustive list of sources.