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Biden cannot use stimulus package to raise US minimum wage

2021-02-26T06:46:18.131Z


The US Democrats tried to double the minimum wage in the US with a trick. But the measure is against the rules. For a regular process, they need the Republican votes.


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US President Joe Biden

Photo: Doug Mills / imago images / ZUMA Wire

The US Democrats want to gradually double the nationwide minimum wage to $ 15 an hour (around € 12.50) by 2025.

But that won't work with the next Corona stimulus package.

The reason is a decision by Senate Rules of Procedure officer Elizabeth MacDonough.

The Democrats wanted to enforce the increase through a mediation process between the House of Representatives and the Senate.

However, the process is originally only intended for household purposes, which is why MacDonough did not allow the minimum wage to be increased.

For a regular legislative process in the Senate, the Democrats, who have 50 votes there, would need the approval of ten Republicans, which does not appear to be foreseeable.

"We are deeply disappointed with this decision," said the Democratic majority leader in the Senate, Chuck Schumer, on Thursday evening (local time).

US President Joe Biden was also disappointed.

Currently the minimum wage in the country is $ 7.25.

In addition, many states have higher limits.

The economically strong New York, for example, has already decided to gradually increase the minimum wage to $ 15.

Regarding the minimum wage, Schumer pledged, "We will not give up the fight to raise the minimum wage to $ 15 to help millions of hard-working American workers and their families." Biden's spokeswoman Jen Psaki said the president would now Work with Congress to find a way to increase "because no one in this country should work full time and live in poverty."

The economic stimulus package that Biden is aiming for against the corona crisis in the amount of around 1.9 trillion dollars can in principle be enforced through the mediation process.

Biden wants to use the package to stimulate the economy and create millions of new jobs.

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mfh / dpa

Source: spiegel

All news articles on 2021-02-26

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