[BREAKING] Senate Parliamentarian Says Min Wage Increase Can’t Go In Dems’ Relief Bill
The Parliamentarian of the United States Senate is the official advisor to the United States Senate on the interpretation of Standing Rules of the United States Senate and parliamentary procedure. The current parliamentarian, Elizabeth MacDonough, made history as the first woman in the politically neutral role, but she’s not getting too many kudos from Democrats after ruling against the proposed minimum wage increase from their Covid relief aid package.
The minimum wage increase is still likely to be included in the House bill on which the chamber is voting Friday. However, the parliamentarian ruled that the increase to $15 per hour did not meet a strict set of guidelines needed to move forward in the Senate’s reconciliation process. That means that the House will pass their bill, the Senate will have to strip the minimum wage provision out and then eventually, the House will have to pass that bill again at the end of the process.

Senate Budget Chairman Bernie Sanders had been working for weeks to include the provision in the bill. This likely makes it easier for Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer to get his members in line behind the bill since the rise in the minimum wage had been a key sticking point for moderates like Senators Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona and Joe Manchin of West Virginia.
Since the Senate Parliamentarian won’t allow a $15 minimum wage to go through reconciliation, then it’s time to end the filibuster and #RaiseTheWage.
Working people across America are struggling and cannot wait any longer. They need a living wage now https://t.co/8EAr2m29cR
— John Fetterman (@JohnFetterman) February 26, 2021
If Democrats want to win another election, I can promise you that the voters are going to reward a $15 minimum wage a HELL OF A LOT more than "acquiesced to the advisory opinion of the Senate Parliamentarian."
Pass a $15 minimum wage. The majority depends on it.
— Brian Tyler Cohen (@briantylercohen) February 26, 2021
[This is a developing story, please check back for updates]