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NASHVILLE, Tenn.–The U.S. House is expected to vote on a bill to raise the national minimum wage to $15 per hour today. South Bend Mayor and 2020 Presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg spoke about it during a campaign stop in Nashville, Tennessee Wednesday. He believes a higher minimum wage will benefit all sectors of the economy. 

“It makes it possible, as we have this debate about how to afford to go to college, it also makes something else very important possible. It ought to be affordable in this country to NOT go to college, you ought to still be able to earn a good wage if you’re willing to work hard,” Buttigieg said. 

Right now the federal minimum wage is $7.25 per hour and it hasn’t changed in 10 years. If the House passes it, it would go to the Senate next. 

A study by the Joint Economic Committee released Tuesday said an increase to just $10.15 per hour would bring the minimum wage in line with inflation.

(PHOTO: Scott Olson/Getty Images)