President-elect Biden has promised to raise the federal minimum wage to $ 15 an hour, which could result in job losses and the closure of small businesses. Hillary Vaughn from FOX Business with more.
President-elect Joe Biden said on Friday that he wanted to raise the federal minimum wage to help boost US economic growth and increase family income.
The new president said that no American worker should work 40 hours a week and still live below the poverty line, adding that these people are “entitled” to at least $ 15 an hour.
“I also hope that Democratic control of the House and Senate will increase the chances of immediate action on raising the minimum wage,” said Biden during a national speech on Friday. “I have long said that we need to reward work, not just wealth, in this country. People in both parties now recognize that it is time to raise the minimum wage so that hard-working people earn at least $ 15 an hour. “
Currently, the federal minimum wage is R $ 7.25, where it has been for over a decade.
Vice President-elect Kamala Harris reiterated during the same event on Friday that the government intended to fight for a higher minimum wage.
MINIMUM WAGES DEFINED TO INCREASE IN THESE STATES IN 2021
Boston Mayor Marty Feldstein has been appointed to take the job of U.S. Secretary of Labor, although Biden said he “seriously considered” Senator Bernie Sanders, I-Vt. ,’S nomination for the post.
However, the president-elect said the pair agreed that securing Democratic control of the Senate was a higher priority.
Biden said he and Sanders would “work together” on a “shared agenda” to increase workers’ power.
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Biden indicated that a short-term economic relief plan would focus on small businesses, in addition to receiving $ 2,000 stimulus checks for eligible families.
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