Senator Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., Says he is optimistic about the Democrats’ chances of passing a minimum wage increase in the coronavirus stimulus bill, despite at least two Democrats expressing opposition.
“We are feeling very well. We think we have a good chance,” Sanders, chairman of the Senate Budget Committee, told reporters on Friday at the United States Capitol. “We have millions of workers working for hunger wages. We need to raise the minimum wage to a minimum wage of $ 15 an hour and that is what the American people want and that is what I intend to do.”
Moderate Democratic Sens. Joe Manchin, DW.Va., and Kyrsten Sinema, D-Ariz., Said they oppose the inclusion of the $ 15 minimum wage in the stimulus package.
“What matters is whether or not it is directly related to Covid’s short-term relief. And if it is not, then I will not support you in this legislation,” Sinema told Politico in an interview published Friday.
U.S. Senator Kyrsten Sinema, D-Ariz., Applauds during ex-President Trump’s State of the Union address at the US Capitol in Washington, February 4, 2020. (Getty Images)
ERNST RIPES THE MINIMUM SALARY OF $ 15 HIKE AS A ‘PROGRESSIVE DREAM’ THAT WILL DISSOLVE MORE THAN ONE MILLION JOBS
Democrats barely have a Senate majority – 50-50 with Vice President Kamala Harris breaking ties – meaning that any Democratic defection could spell disaster for the chances of a pay rise. (Only 48 senators are actually Democrats. But two independents – Sanders and Senator Angus King, I-Maine – agree with the Democrats.)
US Senator Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., Conversation with reporters at the Capitol in Washington, Friday, February 12, 2021. (Associated Press)
Republicans criticized the increase in the minimum wage – especially during the pandemic, when so many small businesses are struggling.
HOME DEMS COMMITTEE APPROVES $ 15 MINIMUM WAGE IN STIMULUS PACKAGE IN spite of the 1.4 M CBO NOTICE AT RISK
The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office said a $ 15 minimum wage would likely increase the wages of some 27 million workers, but it could also cost about $ 1.4 million for their jobs, as business owners would cut their wages. pay more bills to your employees.
According to the Democrats’ proposal, the salary increase would be implemented by 2025.
The federal minimum wage, which is $ 7.25, has not been increased since 2009, although many states have higher minimum wages.
US Joe Manchin, DW.Va. (Getty Images)
Democrats are trying to approve the measure through reconciliation, which means that they would need only a simple majority, but that requires it to be passed by the Senate’s non-partisan parliamentary cabinet.
Sanders told reporters that they are “working very hard” to take the measure along the way.
If the minimum wage increase does not remain in the stimulus package, Democrats are likely to come up with an independent bill, the Wall Street Journal reported.
A minimum wage of $ 15 has been a goal for Sanders and other progressives for years.
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At the end of last month, while presenting the 2021 Raise the Wage Act, he said: “No person in America can survive on $ 8, $ 10 or $ 12 an hour. In the United States of America, a job it must lift workers out of poverty, not keep them in it, “reported USA Today.