Romney and Cotton bill would raise minimum wage, bar illegal workers

The two GOP lawmakers said they’ll be introducing a bill that “gradually raises the minimum wage” and “requires employers to verify the legal status of workers.”

“Congress hasn’t raised the minimum wage in more than a decade, leaving many Americans behind,” Romney said Tuesday. “I’m introducing a bill with @SenTomCotton that would increase the minimum wage while ensuring businesses cannot hire illegal immigrants.”

“We have an obligation to protect our workers and fellow citizens,” Cotton said.

Romney and Cotton did not reveal a number, but said that a higher minimum wage will come “without costing jobs, setting it to increase automatically with inflation.” Cotton said that the increase would be intended to go into effect after the coronavirus pandemic has ended, and would include protections for small businesses.