In deciding whether US citizens should have an increase in the minimum wage, a proposal for $10.10 was put before Congress and turned down. At present, the new proposal is for $12 federally and is being considered.

It is a leading issue for Democrats but not a an issue the Republicans’ are taking up. According to an interview with Sen. Patty Murray, Murray (D -Wash) said, “This is a key piece of our work to grow the economy from the middle out, not the top down,” Sen. Murray, who introduced the bill in the Senate, said at a press conference Thursday. “The truth is, for most Americans, wages have been stagnant for decades.”

Senator Murray also believes that putting the new proposal out to the Republican colleagues is really a challenge to them. She believes what they have put out is right and look forward to a challenge from the aisle.

The most interesting thing is why the Republicans may consider the new proposal and there are two important things to consider: the first time ever a majority of states have a higher than federal minimum wage and inflation.

Senator Murray and joined by Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.), House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and Rep. Bobby Scott (D-Va.), from the House side are all backing the proposal. Labor Secretary Tom Perez also stated, “[the White House] is giving ‘full and enthusiastic’ support to the Democrats proposal.”

Under the Murray-Scott proposal, minimum wage would rise from the federal level of $7.25 to $8 then a dollar year thereafter to the year 2020. The wages would no longer be indexed by the Consumer Price Index but by median wage growth. The new legislature would also address the “tipped minimum wage workers” applying to workers who receive tips as part of their income. This rate has been $2.13 for over 20 years.

Because many people have begun to count on full-time server and fast food positions, there has been a greater increase in the amount of pressure those workers bring into the minimum wage fight. The Service Employees International Union funds the Fight for $15 highlighting the fight that people who work for $7.25 must endure.