Senate Parliamentarian Rules Minimum Wage Increase Ineligible for Budget Reconciliation
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From the Center
Senate parliamentarian nixes minimum wage boost in aid packageSenate Parliamentarian Elizabeth MacDonough has told senators that the federal minimum wage increase President Joe Biden and Democrats have been seeking would violate the chamber's rules for inclusion in a filibuster-proof pandemic relief reconciliation bill.
Two sources familiar with the discussions confirmed the ruling, which emerged after arguments from aides to both parties in closed-door meetings with MacDonough this week.
The decision dealt a blow to Democratic hopes of tacking the long-sought rise in the minimum wage onto the $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief package that's taking shape. While the provision...
From the Left
Senate parliamentarian rules against including minimum wage in Covid relief billThe Senate parliamentarian has ruled against including the increase in the minimum wage in the Covid relief bill.
While Democrats had pushed for the increase to be included -- and leadership expressed its disappointment in the ruling Thursday evening -- its removal may actually make it easier to pass the bill, senior Democratic sources believe, because it'll avoid a messy fight over whether to strip it out of the bill and whether to compromise.
From the Right
Senate blocked from adding $15 minimum wage provision to COVID aid packageDemocrats cannot include a $15 minimum wage mandate in their COVID-19 spending package, the Senate parliamentarian ruled Thursday.
Parliamentarian Elizabeth MacDonough rejected arguments by Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Budget Committee Chairman Bernie Sanders that a minimum wage increase conformed to special rules allowing the Senate to pass the COVID-19 spending package with only 51 votes, a source familiar told the Washington Examiner.
Democrats can try to vote to overrule MacDonough with a majority vote, but some lawmakers in their own party would likely object.
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