Came here to agree with this, there are laws against the federal government setting discriminatory minimums like this. In the eyes of just about any federal judge the original suggestion would get the entire bill shot down. Also people in this thread talking about how they think this is fair based on experience or cause "teens are stupid" thats entirely misguided of you all to think, there are kids who start working in some states LEGALLY at 14.5 years old, example: N.C. so when they are 16 or 17 they can legally be paid the same 'juvenile' minimum wage? No fast food company or grocery store will actively pay them more if they don't have to and that means less raises and how would all these companies even be monitored and audited for the crossover on ones 18th birthday? What about kids who are emancipated for their parents/legal guardians? What about kids who drop out of school and work? Do they all deserve to make less just because of their age? Geez, the actual obliviousness of people on this site is astonishing sometimes.