Should Congress Raise the Minimum Wage?

1. Set Focus
Frame the inquiry with this essential question: To what extent should the government be involved in determining how much people get paid?

2. Read and Discuss
Have students read the debate and then answer the following questions:

• What is the issue being debated? How does it relate to current events? (The issue is whether Congress should raise the federal minimum wage. The issue is timely because lawmakers have repeatedly introduced bills to raise the federal rate, but none have passed both houses of Congress. The fact that 30 states have already raised their minimums above the federal rate indicates widespread desire for higher wages.)

• Evaluate why these two authors might be interested in and qualified to comment on this issue. (Both authors are members of Congress. As lawmakers, they’re responsible for voting on federal legislation on this issue.)
  

• Analyze Padilla’s view. (Padilla argues in favor of raising the minimum wage. He says that many hardworking Americans are not paid a living wage and that raising the federal minimum wage would lift many out of poverty and boost local economies. He also argues that California raised its minimum wage and it did not hurt employment levels.)

• Analyze Johnson’s view. (Johnson argues against raising the minimum wage. He tells a personal story about his experience with a minimum-wage job and how it ultimately benefited him. He argues that raising wages would increase prices and reduce jobs. He also says that since only a small percentage of workers earn minimum wage, raising the minimum would hurt more people than it would benefit.)

4. Writing Prompt
In an essay, evaluate one of the debaters’ arguments. Assess whether the reasoning is valid and whether it’s supported with evidence. Point out biases or missing information.

5. Classroom Debate
Should Congress raise the minimum wage? Have students use the authors’ ideas, as well as their own, in a debate.

6. Vote
Go online to vote in Upfront’s poll—and see how students across the country voted.