Better Pay for American Workers Act
The source supplies the latest action, but no lifecycle stage.
Latest action (3 Sep 2026): Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
What this bill does
The Better Pay for American Workers Act would amend the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 to raise the federal minimum wage in stages: $15.00 per hour beginning January 1, 2027; $17.50 beginning January 1, 2028; and $20.00 beginning January 1, 2029. Starting January 1, 2030, and each year after, the minimum wage would be adjusted automatically based on the annual percentage change in the median hourly wage of all employees, as measured by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Any calculated rate would be rounded to the nearest $0.05 and could not fall below the previous year's minimum wage.
The bill would primarily affect hourly and other workers covered by the federal minimum wage, as well as employers required to comply with FLSA wage standards. By tying future increases to median wage growth rather than requiring separate congressional action, the bill would create an ongoing, formula-based adjustment mechanism after the initial three scheduled increases.
The bill was introduced in the House on September 3, 2026, by Rep. Norma Torres, and referred to the Committee on Education and Workforce. As an introduced bill, it has not yet received committee action, and would need to pass through committee review, floor votes in the House and Senate, and be signed by the President before becoming law.
Plain-English summary generated by Bill100 AI from the official record. Always verify against the source below.
Timeline
3 Sep 2026
Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
Common questions
- What does H.R. 10294 do?
- The Better Pay for American Workers Act would amend the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 to raise the federal minimum wage in stages: $15.00 per hour beginning January 1, 2027; $17.50 beginning January 1, 2028; and $20.00 beginning January 1, 2029. Starting January 1, 2030, and each year after, the minimum wage would be adjusted automatically based on the annual percentage change in the median hourly wage of all employees, as measured by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Any calculated rate would be rounded to the nearest $0.05 and could not fall below the previous year's minimum wage. The bill would primarily affect hourly and other workers covered by the federal minimum wage, as well as employers required to comply with FLSA wage standards. By tying future increases to median wage growth rather than requiring separate congressional action, the bill would create an ongoing, formula-based adjustment mechanism after the initial three scheduled increases. The bill was introduced in the House on September 3, 2026, by Rep. Norma Torres, and referred to the Committee on Education and Workforce. As an introduced bill, it has not yet received committee action, and would need to pass through committee review, floor votes in the House and Senate, and be signed by the President before becoming law.
- Has H.R. 10294 become law?
- The source does not supply a confirmed lifecycle stage for H.R. 10294. Check the latest action and official source below.
- Who sponsored H.R. 10294?
- H.R. 10294 was sponsored by Rep. Torres, Norma J. [D-CA-35] (D-CA), with 0 cosponsors.
- What's the latest action on H.R. 10294?
- Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce. (3 Sep 2026).
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