Minimum wage issue should be one for the states. There are vast differences in cost of living and one federal one is not reasonable.  Also, any increase in minimum wage has to have an option to have a "training" wage and/or one for students (under 21 years old).  This is the only way not to penalize people who need to learn and be trained. Businesses will NOT hire people that take their time and cost them money during training, probation.  The government already provides Income tax "income" from low wage earners, so it is not necessary for those who are dependents and/or have not in the past had the education or training or skills to work in a specific field or area to have a higher wage from the start. 