The House of Representatives holds a historic vote today on President Biden’s coronavirus relief bill, with majority Democrats expected to approve the $1.9 trillion package.
Meanwhile, the Senate’s parliamentarian has advised Democrats against including a boost in the federal minimum wage to $15 an hour as part of the stimulus bill, saying such a move is prohibited by Senate rules. Progressive Democrats are calling on the Senate’s presiding officer, Vice President Kamala Harris, to disregard the advice of the unelected parliamentarian in order to fulfill her campaign promise to more than double the minimum wage.
Since 2009, the federal minimum wage has remained at $7.25 an hour — and just $2.13 for millions of workers who receive tips. An estimated 32 million people would benefit from a minimum wage increase.