Democrats cannot include a $ 15 minimum wage increase as part of the $ 1.9 trillion coronavirus relief package, a senior Senate official decided on Thursday.
The decision by Senate parliamentarian Elizabeth MacDonough was a blow to the progressives, who had been pushing to include such a provision in the bill.
MacDonough, the non-partisan referee for the Senate rules, issued a statement saying he did not believe the change would comply with the reconciliation guidelines, the quick process that Democrats are using to approve the bill.
Senate Budget Committee Chairman Bernie Sanders, who previously said he was optimistic that MacDonough would support the provision, criticized the conclusion late on Thursday.
“I totally disagree with the Senate congressman’s decision tonight,” the Vermont lawmaker said in a statement.
“The struggle to raise the minimum wage to $ 15 an hour continues,” he added.
Republicans, for their part, welcomed the decision.
“Very pleased the Senate parliamentarian has decided that an increase in the minimum wage is an inadequate change in reconciliation policy.” said Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, the top Republican on the Senate Budget Committee.
“This decision will, over time, reinforce the Senate’s traditions.”
Some moderate Democrats, including Sens. Joe Manchin of West Virginia and Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona expressed opposition to the inclusion of the minimum wage increase in the relief bill.
This suggests that Democrats would not have the votes to approve the provision if they chose to break decades of Senate precedent, ignore the parliamentarian’s opinion and keep it in the bill.
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