Democratic Senator Kyrsten Sinema (Ariz.)’S office pushes back against criticism of her Friday vote for rejecting a $ 15 minimum wage bill, with a senator’s spokeswoman commenting on the way she casts her vote sexist .
Cinema was under eight Democrats voted against the legislation, sponsored by Sen. Bernie Sanders
Bernie SandersSinema rejects criticism of her vote for minimum wage, suggesting that sexist Biden wins after Senate passes coronavirus aid package, Schumer insists Democrats unite after chaotic coronavirus debate MORE (I-Vt.) In an effort to raise the federal minimum wage to $ 15 per hour.
The Senate voted 58 to 42 against an attempt to waive a procedural objection to the addition of the wage provision to the $ 1.9 billion COVID-19 relief bill, which the Senate nailed down on Saturday.
Democratic co-legislators and others took to Twitter to condemn the vote of Cinema, with rep. Marie Newman (D-Ill.) Who again tweeted a 2014 tweet from Cinema in which she wrote. ” A full-time minimum wage earner earns less than $ 16,000 a year. This is a non-brainer. Tell Congress #RaiseTheWage! ”
“To be clear, her state wants Arizona overwhelming and 15 / hour,” Newman tweeted Friday night.
To be clear, her state, Arizona, wants overwhelming and 15 / hour. https://t.co/knKM2T17J5
– Marie Newman (@ Marie4Congress) 6 March 2021
Others, however, commented on the way Sinema cast her vote.
The Arizona senator steps to the floor of the Senate and gives a thumbs down, the general signal used by lawmakers to vote against a bill while an inch up indicates support.
Some Twitter users have specifically focused on Cinema’s mannerisms, such as how she nods her head, dips her shoulders, and bends her knee before getting up and walking away again.
Others also focused on her clothes and handbag, claiming that this indicates that the moderate Democrat was out of touch with Americans who support an increased wage.
Did Sinema really vote 24 million people like this for a minimum wage of $ 15? pic.twitter.com/Jv0UXLKLHI
– Sawyer Hackett (@SawyerHackett) 5 March 2021
No one should ever be so happy to lift people out of poverty. This is Senator Cinema voting no on the $ 15 minimum wage. Https://t.co/qNfYy8co4m
– Rashida Tlaib
Rashida Harbi TlaibSinema pushes back criticism of her vote against minimum wage, suggesting it is sexist progressive White House to overthrow the wage decision Six ways to visualize a divided America MORE (@RashidaTlaib) 6 March 2021
I’m got a thumbs up for your Kyrsten Cinema # 15Now #JobsAndCare pic.twitter.com/ioECzVWl6l
– Nelini Stamp (@NelStamp) 5 March 2021
However, Hannah Hurley, a spokeswoman for Cinema, backed down on these comments and said in a statement The Huffington Post Friday night, “Comments about a female senator’s body language, clothing or physical attitude do not belong in serious media traffic.”
Hurley doubled her allegations of sexism in a tweet later Friday, repeating her statement to the Post, adding: “I stand by what I said.”
I stand by what I said: comments about a female senator’s body language, clothing, or physical posture do not belong in serious media traffic.
– Hannah L. Hurley (@HannahLHurley) 6 March 2021
The Hill reached out to Hurley for comment.
In a statement Cinema defended her vote on Friday, pointing out that she supported the minimum wage increases in her state in 2006 and 2016, but added:the Senate must conduct an open debate and amendment process on raising the minimum wage, separate from the COVID-focused reconciliation bill. ”
‘I understand what it’s like to face difficult choices as I work to meet your family’s most basic needs. I also know the difference that can make better wages, ”she added. “I will continue to work with colleagues in both parties to ensure that Americans have access to well-paying jobs, quality training and skills training to build more economically secure lives for themselves and their families.”