Republicans in the U.S. Senate just killed a bill that would gradually raise the minimum wage to $10.10 over two and a half years. Every Senate Republican except one, Bob Corker of Tennessee, voted against the legislation. Every Democrat voted for the bill (except Harry Reid in a procedural move necessary to resubmit the vote). The vote was 54-42. 60 votes were needed to avoid a filibuster.Â
The minimum wage, currently $7.25, has not changed since 2009. In 1968, the federal minimum wage was $1.60 per hour — that’s $10.79 in current dollars accounting for inflation.
The majority of workers earning minimum wage or less ($2.13 for tipped workers like waiters and waitresses) are adults and supporting families — an impossible act given the low purchasing power of the federal minimum wage.
While Republican may have handed the President a defeat today, they have made their chances of gaining ground in the November midterm elections much harder.
“In a clear sign of the political value Democrats believe the issue has, Harkin and others have said they intend to force another vote on the increase closer to this year’s elections,” Newser reports.Â
Meanwhile, 76 percent of Americans support an increase to the minimum wage.
Pew Research last month reported:
Half of all adults say they would be more likely to vote for a congressional candidate who supports increasing the minimum wage, according to a Washington Post/ABC News poll conducted Feb. 27-Mar.2. About three-in-ten (28%) said a candidate’s stance on the issue wouldn’t make much difference and 19% said they would be less likely to vote for a lawmaker who backed the wage hike.
A Pew Research Center survey conducted last month found strong support for increasing the minimum wage to $10.10 an hour, with 73% of those surveyed in favor.