On Thursday night, Senate Parliamentarian Elizabeth MacDonough ruled against Joe Biden‘s plan to raise the federal minimum wage to $15, as a result he wage increase will almost certainly not be included in the COVID relief bill now being considered. In a statement the same day, the White House said Biden was “disappointed,” but would not challenge the decision. Several experts warned that since Democrats planned to pass the American Rescue Plan through reconciliation, the Senate Parliamentarian has an increased say as to what may enter the bill.
“President Biden is disappointed in this outcome, as he proposed having the $15 minimum wage as part of the American Rescue Plan. He respects the parliamentarian’s decision and the Senate’s process,” said White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki on Thursday. “He will work with leaders in Congress to determine the best path forward because no one in this country should work full time and live in poverty.”
The White House will not move to overrule the parliamentarian. Several House Democrats urged Vice President Kamala Harris to overrule the parliamentarian in the Senate to uphold the minimum wage increase, but she has since indicated that she will not.
“[Biden] urges Congress to move quickly to pass the American Rescue Plan, which includes $1400 rescue checks for most Americans, funding to get this virus under control, aid to get our schools reopened and desperately needed help for the people who have been hardest hit by this crisis,” said Psaki.
