The question of what the National Minimum Wage should be has long been debated. As the year 2024 approaches, it is imperative to consider the implications of this critical decision. The Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions and the House Committee on Education and the Workforce must carefully weigh the options. In this persuasive essay, the argument will be made for establishing a national minimum wage of $12.50 per hour to be implemented by January 1, 2024. This figure strikes a balance between the needs of low-wage workers and employers' concerns while considering the broader economic and social consequences.