Sanders, Democrats introduce $15 minimum wage bill

Sen. Bernie SandersBernie SandersSanders: 'My wife is perhaps the most honest person I know' Sanders: 'Medicare for All' proposal coming after ObamaCare debate Battle breaks out in California over single-payer healthcare MORE (I-Vt.) is teaming up with top congressional Democrats to try to raise the federal minimum wage to $15, a move that has divided Democrats for years.

Sanders, Senate Minority Leader Charles SchumerCharles SchumerOPINION: CNN's reaction to 'wrestling' tweet plays right into Trump's hands Kushner, Ivanka rub elbows with Dem billionaire Soros at Hamptons party: report Trump claims GOP has a 'big surprise' on healthcare MORE (D-N.Y.), Sen. Patty MurrayPatty MurrayCongress must stop soft ‘earmarking’ in Pentagon spending bill The Prescription Drug User Fee Act must refrain from adding Right To Try provisions Dem senator: I don't know if Trump 'ever understood' ObamaCare MORE (D-Wash.) — the top Democrat on the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee — and 28 other Democratic senators introduced the Senate legislation on Thursday.

The bill would increase the federal minimum wage, currently at $7.25, to $15 by 2024, and tie future increases to national median wage growth. It would also gradually eliminate the current exception to the minimum wage for tipped workers.

“Just a few short years ago, we were told that raising the minimum wage to $15 an hour was ‘radical,’ ” Sanders said. “Our job in the wealthiest country in the history of the world is to make sure that every worker has at least a modest and decent standard of living.”

With Thursday’s legislation, a majority of Senate Democrats now support a $15 federal minimum wage bill. Reps. Bobby ScottBobby ScottEllison sings in celebration of Minneapolis approving minimum wage Kids shouldn't be charged as sex offenders Overnight Finance: Dems introduce minimum wage bill | Sanders clashes with Trump budget chief | Border tax proposal at death's door MORE (D-Va.) and Keith Ellison (D-Minn.) also introduced the bill in the House with 152 co-sponsors.

Red-state Democratic Sens. Joe ManchinJoe Manchin'Kate's Law' battle shifts to the Senate, testing Dems GOP senators warming to repeal then replace on ObamaCare Manchin to Trump: Work with Democrats 'who are willing to meet you in the middle' MORE (W.Va.), Claire McCaskillClaire McCaskill'Kate's Law' battle shifts to the Senate, testing Dems Missouri GOP rep announces she won't run for Senate Overnight Tech: Watchdog finds fraud in FCC internet subsidies | Twitter taking on fake news | Uber, SEC discussed giving drivers equity MORE (Mo.), Jon TesterJon Tester'Kate's Law' battle shifts to the Senate, testing Dems Democrats go in for the kill on ObamaCare repeal Senate Democrat staffers are predominantly white, women MORE (Mont.), Heidi HeitkampHeidi Heitkamp'Kate's Law' battle shifts to the Senate, testing Dems Senate Democrat staffers are predominantly white, women Senate Democrats: ObamaCare repeal fight isn't over yet MORE (N.D.) and Joe DonnellyJoe Donnelly'Kate's Law' battle shifts to the Senate, testing Dems Lawmakers sport LSU gear at baseball game in honor of Scalise Senate votes to continue arming Saudis As Yemenis suffer the consequences MORE (Ind.) — each up for reelection in 2018 — are among the 17 Senate Democrats not signed on to the bill.

Democrats included the $15 minimum wage in their 2016 platform, but the issue sparked tension between presidential nominee Hillary ClintonHillary Rodham ClintonFive celebrities running for office Poll: Americans say partisan tensions worse under Trump Kobach faces complaint stemming from Trump's election commission MORE and progressives such as Sanders.

Clinton said during a debate against Sanders that she would sign a $15 minimum wage bill if she won the White House, which seemed to conflict with her support for a $12 minimum wage. She added that she believes a $12 minimum wage should be the floor while also “encouraging others to get to $15.”

When Sanders introduced a similar bill in 2015, he only garnered five supporters. Murray introduced a bill in 2015 to raise the minimum wage to $12, in line with Clinton, which got the support of 33 Democrats.

Tom Perez, the chairman of the Democratic National Committee, also voiced support for the bill on Thursday, saying Democrats are helping "American workers break free from a rigged economy that favors our wealthiest citizens while squeezing the middle class."

No GOP lawmakers have backed the push for a $15 minimum wage, and Schumer specifically called out President Trump to support their proposal.

"If Republicans and President Trump are truly serious about standing up for workers, they’ll join us in fighting for a $15 minimum wage. … We’re going to continue fighting tooth and nail for this,” he said.

Trump signaled during the campaign that he would support a $10 minimum wage but also indicated that the decision should be left up to states.