Alma Adams (D-NC)
Living Wage for Federal Contractors Act
A Democratic bill with 8 Democratic cosponsors · See all 8 cosponsors
Last activity — Referred to the Committee on Education and Workforce, and in addition to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill establishes a minimum wage for all federal contractors and subcontractors. The required wage starts at $17.00 per hour and incrementally increases over several years until reaching $25.00 per hour, after which it will adjust based on inflation. Tipped workers covered under the bill will also see their minimum wage increase incrementally, starting at $13.00 per hour and reaching $25.00 per hour. The legislation includes enforcement measures, allowing the government to terminate contracts, penalize repeated violators, and blacklist contractors who fail to pay the required wages. Certain contracts under the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act are exempt from these requirements. The bill also updates existing laws to ensure the new minimum wage standards apply to Davis-Bacon, Service Contract Act, and procurement contracts.
Yes· 3 of 27
- Scored +9
Would households on low incomes be better off under this?
Directly increases wages for low-income federal contractor and service workers up to $25 per hour.
- Scored +8
Does this raise the lowest wage an employer may pay?
Establishes a mandatory escalating minimum wage starting at $17 and reaching $25 per hour for federal contractor employees and tipped workers.
- Scored +7
Is this likely to lift people out of poverty?
Significantly raises incomes for low-wage workers, directly alleviating poverty for contractor households.
The opposite
- Scored -4
Would business owners be better off under this?
Imposes higher labor costs, civil penalties, and strict compliance burdens on federal contracting businesses.
- Scored -2
Is this likely to slow the rise in prices?
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Higher Wages for Workers: Section 2(a) establishes a baseline hourly rate for federal contractor employees starting at $17.00 per hour and scaling up to $25.00 per hour over time, which puts more money directly into the pockets of everyday working people.
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Protection for Tipped Employees: Section 2(c) sets specific, increasing wage floors for tipped workers employed by federal contractors, beginning at $13.00 per hour and eventually reaching $25.00 per hour, helping service workers earn a more reliable income.
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Inflation Adjustments: Section 2(b) ensures that after the initial wage increases take effect, the minimum wage will be adjusted for inflation using the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers, helping wages keep pace with the rising cost of living.
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Direct Financial Recovery for Underpaid Workers: Section 2(d)(2)(A) requires violators to pay workers twice the sum of any unpaid wages due, and allows the government or workers to recover those funds directly, holding bad actors accountable and ensuring workers get what they earned.
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Accountability for Bad Contractors: Section 2(d)(2)(B) mandates that the Comptroller General maintain and distribute a list of contractors who disregard their wage obligations, banning them from receiving new federal contracts for three years to protect workers from repeat offenders.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Potential Business Penalties and Project Delays: Section 2(d)(1) and Section 2(d)(2)(C) allow the government to terminate a contractor's right to proceed with work if they fail to pay the required wages, and impose civil penalties of up to $1,100 for repeated or willful violations, which could potentially cause disruptions or delays in project completions.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — Directly increases wages for low-income federal contractor and service workers up to $25 per hour. Would people in their twenties and thirties be better off under this? — Young adults often hold entry-level or service jobs that will see wage floors elevated by this bill. Would middle-income households be better off under this? Would people in middle age be better off under this? Would women be better off under this? — Women make up a large share of lower-wage service and tipped professions covered by the wage hikes. Would Black Americans be better off under this? Would children be better off under this? — Higher household incomes benefit the financial well-being of families and children. Would Hispanic Americans be better off under this? Would immigrants be better off under this? — Many immigrant workers are employed in lower-wage service and contract roles benefiting from higher wages. Would people with disabilities be better off under this? Would students be better off under this? Would union members be better off under this? Would men be better off under this? Would people over 65 be better off under this? Would people in cities be better off under this? Would Asian Americans be better off under this? Would LGBTQ people be better off under this? Would people in rural areas be better off under this? Would white Americans be better off under this? Would business owners be better off under this? — Imposes higher labor costs, civil penalties, and strict compliance burdens on federal contracting businesses.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Is this likely to lift people out of poverty? — Significantly raises incomes for low-wage workers, directly alleviating poverty for contractor households. Does this expand the rights of people with disabilities? — Explicitly incorporates workers whose wages are calculated under special certificates for individuals with disabilities. Does this narrow the gap between how men and women are treated? — Benefits women who are disproportionately represented in low-wage service and tipped contractor positions. Does this narrow racial gaps in how people are treated? — Can positively impact lower-income minority workers commonly employed in service and contractor roles. Is this likely to reduce homelessness?
- Economy And Finance
- Does this raise the lowest wage an employer may pay? — Establishes a mandatory escalating minimum wage starting at $17 and reaching $25 per hour for federal contractor employees and tipped workers. Is this likely to grow the economy? — Boosts consumer spending power for federal contractor employees by raising baseline wages. Is this likely to slow the rise in prices?
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this give the federal government more power? — Expands federal regulatory requirements and enforcement authority over contractor wage standards.
- 8/17/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 7/6/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 7/2/2026
- Referred to the Committee on Education and Workforce, and in addition to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 6 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in House
Emanuel CleaverDemocrat · Missouri
Steve CohenDemocrat · Tennessee
Adelita GrijalvaDemocrat · Arizona
James McGovernDemocrat · Massachusetts
LaMonica McIverDemocrat · New Jersey
Eleanor NortonDemocrat · District of Columbia
Dina TitusDemocrat · Nevada
Debbie Wasserman SchultzDemocrat · Florida