Parliamentarian Nixes Minimum Wage Hike In Coronavirus Bill
By Staff Reporter
Posted on 02/25/21
| News Source: The Hill
The Senate parliamentarian on Thursday ruled against including a boost to the minimum wage in a $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief bill, arguing that it runs afoul of budget rules.
The decision from the parliamentarian, Elizabeth MacDonough, is a significant blow to progressives, who viewed the plan to increase the minimum wage to $15 per hour as one of their top priorities in the massive coronavirus relief plan.
Because Democrats are trying to pass the coronavirus bill through reconciliation — a fast-track process that lets them bypass the 60-vote legislative filibuster — every provision has to comply with arcane budget rules.
But Speaker
Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) said on Thursday night after the ruling that the House will pass the coronavirus bill with the $15 minimum wage intact — effectively letting progressives vote for it even though it will be stripped out in the Senate.
“House Democrats believe that the minimum wage hike is necessary. Therefore, this provision will remain in the American Rescue Plan on the Floor tomorrow. Democrats in the House are determined to pursue every possible path in the Fight For 15," Pelosi said in a statement.
But in order for the minimum wage language to survive the Senate, Democrats and Vice President Harris would need to effectively sideline the parliamentarian. Read more at The Hill