I commend the Massachusetts Legislature for standing up for working men and women in the Commonwealth and taking action toward raising the states minimum wage to $11 per hour by 2017. Under the leadership of Governor Patrick, Massachusetts joins a growing coalition of states, cities and counties that are doing part to make sure no American working full-time has to support a family in poverty.

I look forward to Governor Patrick signing this bill into law soon, and I urge Congress to follow Massachusetts lead and lift wages for 28 million Americans by raising the federal minimum wage to $10.10.