Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) has a number in mind for the federal minimum wage, and it starts with a two. On Thursday, Sanders took to X to argue that Congress should raise the wage floor to at least $20 per hour, saying Americans "can no longer tolerate a rigged economy" that lets one person become a trillionaire while the minimum wage sits at $7.25 an hour.

That $7.25 figure, in case you need a moment, has been the law of the land for 17 years. Sanders wants congressional action once Democrats regain control of Congress, and he's not interested in hearing why it can't be done. "No more excuses," he wrote, framing the proposal as a direct response to widening economic inequality and pay standards that have gone nowhere for nearly two decades.

We can no longer tolerate a rigged economy that has enabled one man to become a trillionaire while the U.S. minimum wage has been stuck at $7.25/hour for 17 years.

When Democrats regain control of Congress we must raise the minimum wage to at least $20 an hour.

No more excuses.

— Bernie Sanders (@BernieSanders) October 15, 2026

Federal Minimum Wage Debate Intensifies

While Washington dithers, the states have been running their own experiments. California is scheduled to raise its statewide minimum wage from $16.90 to $17.40 on Jan. 1, 2027, based on an August announcement. Gov. Gavin Newsom has criticized President Donald Trump and Republicans for opposing federal minimum-wage increases while handing tax breaks to wealthy individuals and corporations, arguing that workers deserve fair pay.

The federal minimum wage has remained at $7.25 an hour since 2009. Thirty states and Washington, D.C., have set higher rates. Washington's minimum wage is $17.13, slightly below California's new rate, while New York City's stands at $17 an hour, according to Department of Labor data.

Hawley Pushes $15 Minimum Wage Hike

Last year in June, Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) introduced legislation to double the federal minimum wage to $15 an hour, arguing that it has failed to keep pace with economic realities and workers' needs. The bill, cosponsored by Sen. Peter Welch (D-Vt.), would also link future federal minimum wage increases to inflation, while business groups have historically opposed such hikes.

Trump had told Fox News at the time that he had not seen the move and would need to speak with Hawley. "You have to think about that one," he said.

Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by MarketDash editors.