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February 26, 2021

Senate Parliamentarian Advises Against Including Minimum Wage Hike in Coronavirus Relief Bill
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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 dollar 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.


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