For Immediate Release: July 18, 2019
Contact: Lee Morrow, [email protected], 202-601-7871

Catholic Lobby: Vote Yes to Raise Minimum Wage
Sr. Simone: “Congress must act now. Low wage workers have inherent dignity.”

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the House of Representatives will vote on H.R. 582, the Raise the Wage Act, which will move the nation towards a universal wage floor of $15 an hour. The Catholic Sisters and activists of NETWORK Lobby for Catholic Social Justice support this crucial living wage bill and ask Members of Congress to vote yes. NETWORK issued the following statement:

Sister Simone Campbell, SSS, Executive Director of NETWORK Lobby for Catholic Social Justice said:

“It is shameful that low income workers have gone over a decade without a raise in the federal minimum wage. Congress must act now. Low wage workers have inherent dignity, and deserve to be able to live on their wages in a dignified manner. Our national economic priorities must reflect that truth. Right now, millions of full time workers are one paycheck away from poverty and homelessness. The Raise the Wage Act would ensure that full-time work pays a living wage.”

Sister Quincy Howard, OP, Government Relations Specialist for NETWORK Lobby for Catholic Social Justice said:

“In 2019, in the richest nation in the world, minimum wage workers groan and cry out under financial burden. Those working long and unpredictable hours for unjust pay endure a bitter existence of hard service and anxiety. Congress must finally prioritize the most vulnerable workers. Members of the House of Representatives have two choices: raise the minimum wage or fail hard working Americans. This vote will reveal their solidarity with the lowest paid workers in their districts.”

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NETWORK Lobby for Catholic Social Justice – advocates for justice inspired by Catholic Sisters – educates, organizes, and lobbies for economic and social transformation. They have a 46-year track record of lobbying for critical federal programs that support those at the margins and prioritize the common good. www.networklobby.org