US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session

US Federal House Bill HB122

Introduced
 
Introduced
1/3/25  

Caption

Original LAW Act

Impact

If enacted, HB 122 will significantly influence labor laws across the nation by tying the federal minimum wage to specific economic indicators. This law intends to ensure that minimum wage earners are compensated adequately enough to afford basic living expenses, including housing. By mandating that a full-time worker's income needs to be above the calculated poverty threshold, the legislation aims to bridge the growing economic divide experienced by low-income families. The bill includes a detailed schedule for future minimum wage increases, directly impacting employee income levels and potentially benefiting small families surviving on minimum wage jobs.

Summary

House Bill 122, titled the 'Original Living American Wage Act,' seeks to amend the Fair Labor Standards Act by establishing a new method for calculating the federal minimum wage based on the Federal supplemental poverty threshold for a renter family of four with two children. This bill aims to ensure that the minimum wage provides a living wage that exceeds the poverty line, thereby improving the economic circumstances of millions of American households living in poverty. Provisions include a specification for annual adjustments that reflect inflation levels and periodic evaluations of the viability of the minimum wage in relation to housing affordability.

Contention

Despite its noble intent, the bill may foster contention among policymakers and economic stakeholders. Proponents argue that such a wage adjustment is essential for reducing poverty and ensuring dignity for workers. Critics, however, warn of potential downsides including increased operational costs for businesses, which may lead to adverse employment effects such as layoffs or reduced hiring. There are also concerns that the consistent increase in minimum wage may not align adequately with productivity rates, creating a strain on small businesses that could result in unintended economic consequences.

Congress_id

119-HR-122

Policy_area

Labor and Employment

Introduced_date

2025-01-03

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

US HB122

Original Living Wage Act This bill increases the federal minimum wage to the minimum hourly wage sufficient for a person working for 40 hours per week, 52 weeks per year, to earn an annual income 25.5% higher than the federal poverty threshold for a four-person household, with two children under age 18, and living in the 48 contiguous states. (Under current poverty thresholds, the national minimum wage would be set at approximately $15.64 per hour.) The Department of Labor must determine the minimum wage rate by June 1, 2023, and review it every four years. Labor may not adjust the minimum wage to a lower rate.

US HB4925

Original Securities and Exchange Atonement Act of 2025

US HR1249

Unhoused Persons Bill of Rights

US HB1981

Choice in Affordable Housing Act of 2025

US HB68

Veterans, Women, Families with Children, Race, and Persons with Disabilities Housing Fairness Act of 2023 or the Housing Fairness Act of 2023 This bill expands efforts to detect and address housing discrimination. Specifically, the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) must conduct a nationwide testing program to (1) detect and document differences in the treatment of prospective renters, homebuyers, or mortgage borrowers; (2) measure patterns of adverse treatment because of the race, color, religion, sex, familial status, disability status, or national origin of a renter, homebuyer, or borrower; and (3) measure the prevalence of such discriminatory practices across housing and mortgage lending markets. The bill also reauthorizes through FY2027 the Fair Housing Initiatives Program, which supports organizations that provide direct assistance to individuals who have been victims of housing discrimination. Additionally, HUD must implement a grant program to assist public and private nonprofit organizations in (1) conducting comprehensive studies on the causes or effects of housing discrimination and segregation, and (2) implementing pilot projects that test solutions to help prevent or alleviate housing discrimination and segregation.

US HB68

Veterans, Women, Families with Children, Race, and Persons with Disabilities Housing Fairness Act of 2025 or the Housing Fairness Act of 2025This bill expands efforts to detect and address housing discrimination.Specifically, the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) must conduct a nationwide testing program to (1) detect and document differences in the treatment of prospective renters, homebuyers, or mortgage borrowers; (2) measure patterns of adverse treatment because of the race, color, religion, sex, familial status, disability status, or national origin of a renter, homebuyer, or borrower; and (3) measure the prevalence of such discriminatory practices across housing and mortgage lending markets.The bill also reauthorizes through FY2028 the Fair Housing Initiatives Program, which supports organizations that provide direct assistance to individuals who have been victims of housing discrimination.Additionally, HUD must implement a grant program to assist public and private nonprofit organizations in (1) conducting comprehensive studies on the causes or effects of housing discrimination and segregation, and (2) implementing pilot projects that test solutions to help prevent or alleviate housing discrimination and segregation.

US HB3681

Leveraging Educational Opportunity Networks Act

US HR493

Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that the United States must take urgent, coordinated action to address the national housing crisis through preservation and production of affordable housing.

US HB8663

Fair Pay Act of 2026

US HB2475

Youth Homelessness Guaranteed Income Pilot Program Act of 2025

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.