WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01), a nationally recognized champion for working families, has partnered with Congresswoman Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (WA-03) to introduce the bipartisan Fair Wage Act of 2025—landmark legislation to modernize the federal minimum wage and make it fairer, smarter, and responsive to regional economic realities.
The Fair Wage Act replaces the outdated, one-size-fits-all federal minimum wage with a dynamic model that adjusts based on local cost-of-living data—ensuring that workers in places like Bucks County, PA aren’t measured against standards designed for cities with vastly different economic conditions. The bill also updates the wage structure for tipped employees and young workers, providing a balanced and equitable approach for both workers and small businesses.
Congressman Fitzpatrick, who has long led efforts to deliver real, bipartisan results for working families in Pennsylvania and beyond, said:
“In every corner of our country—from Levittown to Los Angeles—families are working hard, playing by the rules, and still struggling to keep up. It’s clear the federal minimum wage system is broken. As someone who represents a diverse, hardworking district, I know that a fair wage in Bucks County doesn’t look the same as in New York City or rural Arkansas.
The Fair Wage Act is a practical, bipartisan solution built on common sense and local realities. It protects small businesses, respects regional differences, and most importantly—empowers working families to build a better life. I’m proud to lead this effort because I believe every American deserves the dignity of fair pay for a hard day’s work. And I’ll keep fighting until they get it.”
Congresswoman Gluesenkamp Perez added: “As prices for everyday goods remain high, it’s become harder to make ends meet—even by working a full-time job. When we have more family-wage jobs, there are more pathways to the middle class. Our bipartisan Fair Wage Act will make sure the minimum wage reflects economic realities on the ground in a dynamic way. When wages reflect regional costs of living, more hardworking families will be able to get ahead and spend time on what matters most.”
Key provisions of the Fair Wage Act include:
- Indexing the federal minimum wage to the cost of living in each region using Bureau of Labor Statistics and Bureau of Economic Analysis data;
- Gradually phasing in a minimum wage floor based on 50% of the national average hourly wage;
- Setting fair wage baselines for tipped workers (30% of regional minimum) and for employees 18 and under (two-thirds of the regional minimum).
This legislation continues Congressman Fitzpatrick’s long-standing commitment to delivering practical, bipartisan solutions that uplift working families, strengthen local economies, and create pathways to opportunity—both in PA-1 and across the nation.
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