House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and other top Democrats are keeping a minimum wage hike in the latest COVID-19 relief package even though the Senate's parliamentarian ruled Thursday that the raise should not be included in the bill.
"The ruling from the Senate parliamentarian is disappointing, because raising the minimum wage would give 27 million Americans a well-deserved raise and pull nearly one million Americans out of poverty in the middle of a once-in-a-century devastating pandemic and economic crisis," Pelosi said in a statement late Thursday.
"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.".
Elizabeth MacDonough, the chief Senate parliamentarian, said the minimum wage couldn't be part of the package because Democrats are using a budget process known as reconciliation to ram through the bill since virtually all Republicans oppose it.
"I'm sorry-an unelected parliamentarian does not get to deprive 32 million Americans the raise they deserve. This is an advisory, not a ruling. VP Harris needs to disregard and rule a $15 minimum wage in order. We were elected to deliver for the people. It's time we do our job," Rep. Ro Khanna said in a tweet.
"The White House and Senate leadership can and should still include the minimum wage increase in the bill. We can't allow the advisory opinion of the unelected parliamentarian to stand in the way," added Rep. Pramila Jayapal.
Biden told CBS earlier this month that he expected the wage hike wouldn't end up in the final bill because of Senate rules.
Friday, February 26, 2021
Pelosi to Keep Minimum Wage Hike in COVID-19 Relief Bill Despite Parliamentarian's Ruling
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