S 4981 — Living Wage For All Act

Bill Text

• Introduced Introduced in Senate Current html July 14, 2026

Compared against current U.S. Code AI-generated reading aid — verify against the official bill.

The bill amends the Fair Labor Standards Act to establish a series of increases for the federal minimum wage and define a 'large employer'.

• 29 U.S.C. 203

  (z) `Large employer' means any employer that-- (1) has an annual gross revenue of $1,000,000,000 or more; or (2) employs 500 or more employees throughout the United States.

  Defines 'large employer' for the purposes of minimum wage regulations.

• 29 U.S.C. 206(a)(1)

  $5.85 an hour, beginning on the 60th day after May 25, 2007; → (1) except as otherwise provided in this section-- (A) for purposes of such an employer that is a large employer, not less than-- (i) $12.00 per hour, beginning on the effective date under section 10 of the Living Wage For All Act; (ii) $15.00 per hour, beginning 1 year after such effective date; (iii) $18.00 per hour, beginning 2 years after such effective date; (iv) $20.00 per hour, beginning 3 years after such effective date; (v) $22.50 per hour, beginning 4 years after such effective date; (vi) $25.00 per hour, beginning 5 years after such effective date;

  Sets new minimum wage rates for large employers based on specified timelines.

• 29 U.S.C. 206

  (h) Determination Based on the National Median Hourly Wage.-- (1) In general.--The amount described in this subsection is the amount published by the Secretary under paragraph (2) for purposes of the relevant calendar year.

  Introduces a mechanism for setting future minimum wage based on the national median hourly wage.

• 29 U.S.C. 203(m)(2)(A)(i)

  the cash wage paid such employee, which for purposes of such determination shall be not less than-- → (i) the cash wage paid such employee, which for purposes of such determination shall be not less than-- (I) for purposes of such an employer that is a large employer-- (aa) $6.00 an hour, beginning on the effective date under section 10 of the Living Wage For All Act; (bb) $9.00 an hour, beginning 1 year after such effective date;

  Establishes a new minimum cash wage for tipped employees.

• 29 U.S.C. 206(g)(1)

  a wage which is not less than $4.25 an hour. → a wage at a rate that is not less than-- (A) for the 1-year period beginning on the effective date under section 10 of the Living Wage For All Act, $6.00 an hour;

  Increases the minimum wage for newly hired employees under 20 years old.

• 29 U.S.C. 216(b)

  the wage rate of any employee. → the wage rate or used.

  Expands conditions under which employers may be penalized for not complying with wage requirements.

Action History

1. July 14, 2026

   Introduced in Senate

2. July 14, 2026

   Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

Sponsors

• Christopher Murphy · Primary
• Richard Blumenthal · Cosponsor
• Ron Wyden · Cosponsor
• Andy Kim · Cosponsor
• Cory A. Booker · Cosponsor

Subjects