raise the federal minimum wage drastically to account for inflation and rise in cost of living expenses.

The Federal minimum wage is $7.25, which is embarrassingly low. Inflation, the cost of living expenses, and many other factors make this an extremely difficult wage to live on. It is essentially impossible to sustain life for one's self, let alone one's family, at this wage. If the wage doesn't go up, the poverty levels will continue to increase. The first step in moving the economy forward is ensuring that all have the ability to afford the essentials of life. The first step in that is raising the minimum wage.