Senate bill calls for largest federal minimum wage increase in US history

Sen. Chris Murphy is introducing legislation to raise the federal minimum wage to $25 an hour through a phased approach, starting at $12 and gradually increasing over several years. The proposal eliminates lower wage standards for tipped workers, young employees, and workers with disabilities, while larger employers would face faster compliance timelines than smaller businesses. Supporters argue the increase is necessary to address rising living costs, while critics warn of potential business impacts.