WASHINGTON – A Senate ruling on Thursday dealt a serious blow to Democrats’ hopes of raising the minimum wage in the Covid-19 assistance package, which is likely to condemn the proposal in congressional legislation.
The MP, the internal referee, ruled that the provision did not comply with the rules for the budget process used by Congress to pass the bill by simple majorities.
“We are deeply disappointed in this decision,” Senator Chuck Schumer, DN.Y. “We are not going to give up the fight to raise the minimum wage to $ 15 to help millions of struggling American workers and their families. The American people deserve it, and we are committed to making it a reality. ‘
The so-called “Byrd rule” limits acceptable provisions in the reconciliation process to taxation and spending. Democrats can still try to pass a pay rise through regular order, but that requires 60 Senate votes, all but failed due to a lack of Republican support.
Sen. Lindsey Graham, RS.C., who holds the Republican on the budget committee, praised the referee’s ruling.
“Very pleased that the Senate MP has ruled that a minimum wage increase is an inappropriate policy change in reconciliation,” Graham said in a statement. ‘This decision strengthens reconciliation can not be used as a vehicle to pass major legislative amendment by any party. a simple majority vote. This decision will eventually strengthen the traditions of the Senate. ‘
Democrats, led by Senate Budget Committee Chairman Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., Have raised a case to include the provision in the package.
Sanders said he did not completely agree with the ruling and proposed another way to encourage a wage increase through the budget process.
‘In the coming days, I will work with my colleagues in the Senate on an amendment to take away tax deductions from large, profitable businesses that do not pay workers at least $ 15 an hour and to give small businesses the incentives they need to wages, ”he said in a statement. “This amendment must be incorporated into this Reconciliation Bill.”
Senate Finance Chairman Ron Wyden, D-Ore., Said he would consider another way to raise wages.
“I am looking at a tax penalty for mega-corporations that refuse to pay a living wage,” Wyden said in a statement through his office.
The House, which is not restricted by Senate restrictions, is expected to pass the Covid relief bill on Friday. Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-California, said House Democrats “believe the minimum wage increase is needed,” adding, “Therefore, this provision will remain on the floor tomorrow in the U.S. bailout plan.”
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, DN.Y., a leading proponent of the $ 15 wage, had earlier said it would be unacceptable for Democrats to willingly withdraw the provision, but she acknowledged that the parliamentarian considered it inadequate. can determine.
“The MP is essentially a legislative reference,” Ocasio-Cortez told reporters earlier Thursday. “If something is out of bounds, it’s rules out of bounds.”
Senate experts say Vice President Kamala Harris has the authority to ignore the parliamentarian and determine the pay rise, but the White House is not considering it.
“President Biden is disappointed with this outcome,” said Jen Psaki, White House press secretary, but added that he “respects the decision of the Member of Parliament and the process of the Senate.” She said he would work with Congress to determine “the best way forward” at a salary of $ 15, but in the meantime he urged Congress to move quickly to pass the U.S. bailout plan.
The parliamentarian’s decision immediately prompted calls by some progressive activists to abolish Democrats around the 60-vote threshold for passing most legislation, which they can do with a majority vote in the chamber.
Eli Zupnick, a spokeswoman for the Fix Our Senate coalition, said there was “no reason” for the party not to extend the ordinary majority process they use for Covid relief to the minimum. wage, by adopting HR1 and the Voting Rights Act, and fulfilling the many popular promises they made that sen. McConnell is currently vetoing a filobuster. ‘
