MINIMUM WAGE DAY. Today, for the first time in a decade, the federal minimum wage will increase, from $5.15 to $5.85. Over the next two years the wage will rise incrementally to $7.25, a change that still won't make the wage's real value equal its 1950s and 1960s high, but that nevertheless represents a major victory for the new Congress. Democrats bundled the legislation along with Iraq war appropriations in order to avoid a presidential veto. But this is more than just a political accomplishment -- 13 million hourly workers are affected by the increase, including 7.4 million women, 3.3. million parents, 6 million children, and 50,000 military families. Under the old minimum wage, average family health care costs exceeded the salary of a full-time minimum wage worker. As Speaker Nancy Pelosi just told a group of progressive bloggers (myself included) who were invited to the U.S. Capitol Building today, "People who went to work yesterday and go to work today will make more money than they made yesterday." It's that simple. And by 2009 the pay raise will equal $4,400 each year. Bush's looming veto threat over the State Children's Health Insurance Program was preoccupying Congressional representatives today, as was the building showdown with the administration over Iraq. So check back today for more updates from Congress. --Dana Goldstein
