overwhelming public support. a new gallup poll shows three-quarters of americans support raising the minimum wage. 57% of republicans and 64% of independents according to a recent poll. a campaign was launched for a higher wage in 2014. according to "the new york times," they see it as a wedge issue that they hope will replace candidates in a difficult position but also as tool and puts republicans on the wrong side of an important value issue when it comes to fairness. the current democratic bill in congress, the fair minimum wage act, would raise the federal minimum wage to $10.10 an hour by 2016. a raise that would increase the pay for an estimated 27.8 million workers. this is an issue that obviously -- democrats is a good political issue but also a really important bottom line issue for millions and millions of americans.