All New Jersey House members vote yes on federal minimum wage hike

All twelve members of the New Jersey congressional delegation voted to raise the federal minimum wage to $15-per-hour over the next six years.

The state’s lone Republican congressman, Christopher Smith (R-Hamilton), was one of just three House Republicans to support the minimum wage hike.   Rep. Jeff Van Dew (D-Dennis) voted yes, even though his political allies in his old legislative district voted against the state version that passed earlier this year.

“It’s a disgrace that in our country a person can work over 40 hours a week and still be living below the poverty line and unable to pay for basic essentials,” said Rep. Tom Malinowski (D-Rocky Hill).  “New Jersey has already acted, and it is past time for the rest of the nation to follow.”

The bill passed the House 231-199.  Six Democrats voted against the proposal, which now heads to the GOP-controlled United States Senate.

Republican Josh Duvall, who is challenging Rep. Donald Norcross (D-Camden) in New Jersey’s 1st district next year, accused Norcross of “just playing politics, knowing this bill is dead on arrival in the Senate.”

“If these far-left ideologues would take off their battle helmets and put on their thinking caps, maybe we could find a solution that works for everyone – employers and employees alike,” Duvall said.