Raising the Minimum Wage | Weekly Update Feb 8–12, 2021

Dear friend,

Happy Lunar New Year to everyone celebrating! I wish you and your family a joyful year.

As the pandemic continues, we must stay vigilant. In Minnesota, testing is free and easy to access. This is an important step to keep our community and loved ones safe. You can view testing sites here.

On Tuesday at 5:30pm CT, I’ll be hosting a “Coffee and Kulan” discussion on cannabis legalization with Rep. Barbara Lee and State Rep. Ryan Winkler live on Facebook.com/RepIlhan. I can’t wait to talk with you about our efforts in Congress and in Minnesota to legalize cannabis and implement restorative justice practices. You can see the event details here.

Raising the Minimum Wage

In the Education and Labor Committee, I joined my colleagues to secure a $15 federal minimum wage in our portion of the reconciliation bill and I hope to see it included in President Biden’s final coronavirus relief proposal. Lifting the federal minimum wage would raise wages for 27 million workers across the country. You can listen to my remarks here.

Reviewing Sanctions

I teamed up with Rep. Chuy Garcia (D-IL) and Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) to call for broader analysis of the humanitarian impacts of sanctions and reconsider sanctions that are impeding COVID relief. Our letter urges President Biden to review sanctions to provide dire humanitarian aid. You can read my release here.

Ending the Black Maternal Mortality Crisis

I joined my colleagues to introduce the Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act of 2021, which addresses the maternal mortality crisis. We want to ensure Black women and their children have their basic rights met — that they have access to resources, not just to survive, but to thrive before, during, and after childbirth. You can read more here.

Announcements

Racial and Economic Justice Grant (2021 Giving Project)

The Headwaters Foundation has issued a call for organizations to apply for the 2021 Giving Project Grant. Headwaters wants BIPOC-led organizations to use community organizing as their primary strategy to advance justice. You can learn more here.

Join Our Virtual Town Hall

Join me on February 25th at 5:30pm CT, I will be holding a virtual town hall to hear from you on Facebook.com/RepIlhan. You can see the event details here. Can’t wait to answer your questions!

In service,

Ilhan Omar

Member of Congress