Fair Minimum Wage Act of 1998

Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S9922-9923)

Congressional Research Service

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in Senate · Mar 19, 1998

Fair Minimum Wage Act of 1998 - Amends the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 to increase the Federal minimum wage (currently $5.15 per hour) to: (1) $5.65 an hour during the year 1999; and (2) $6.15 an hour during the year 2000.

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People & committees

Who introduced it

Sen. Kennedy, Edward M. [D-MA] · D–MA

Committees

Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee

22 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Legislative record

Actions

A procedural vote is different from passage. Passage in one chamber does not establish enactment. Explore the glossary.

Sep 3, 1998
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S9922-9923)
Mar 19, 1998
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Labor and Human Resources.
Mar 19, 1998
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S2305)
Mar 19, 1998
Introduced in Senate

Primary sources

Bill text & related measures

Text links open the official source. We currently store references to these documents.

Introduced in Senate · Mar 19, 1998 Formatted Text PDF

Related bills identified by Congress.gov

HR 3510 · Fair Minimum Wage Act of 1998

Source last updated: Aug 21, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

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Neutral evidence review

Objective

Analyze S.1805 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

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Discuss S.1805, 105th Congress: Fair Minimum Wage Act of 1998

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/105th-congress/senate-bill/1805

Text version to examine: Introduced in Senate · 1998-03-19.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/105/bills/s1805/BILLS-105s1805is.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-08-21T16:13:40Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Analyze S.1805 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

Fairness and public impact

Progressive lens

Examine S.1805 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

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Discuss S.1805, 105th Congress: Fair Minimum Wage Act of 1998

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/105th-congress/senate-bill/1805

Text version to examine: Introduced in Senate · 1998-03-19.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/105/bills/s1805/BILLS-105s1805is.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-08-21T16:13:40Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine S.1805 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

Institutions and government scope

Conservative lens

Examine S.1805 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss S.1805, 105th Congress: Fair Minimum Wage Act of 1998

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/105th-congress/senate-bill/1805

Text version to examine: Introduced in Senate · 1998-03-19.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/105/bills/s1805/BILLS-105s1805is.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-08-21T16:13:40Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine S.1805 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

Individual rights and government power

Liberty lens

Examine S.1805 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss S.1805, 105th Congress: Fair Minimum Wage Act of 1998

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/105th-congress/senate-bill/1805

Text version to examine: Introduced in Senate · 1998-03-19.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/105/bills/s1805/BILLS-105s1805is.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-08-21T16:13:40Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine S.1805 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.