Senate Republicans on Thursday blocked an amendment to the GOP budget that called for increasing the minimum wage.
The amendment offered by Sen. Bernie Sanders
Bernard (Bernie) SandersBernie Sanders to sign pledge affirming he will run as a Democrat Overnight Health Care — Presented by National Taxpayers Union — Drug pricing fight centers on insulin | Florida governor working with Trump to import cheaper drugs | Dems blast proposed ObamaCare changes Hillicon Valley: Microsoft reveals new Russian hack attempts | Google failed to disclose hidden microphone | Booker makes late HQ2 bid | Conservative group targets Ocasio-Cortez over Amazon MORE (I-Vt.) failed in a 48-52 vote.
The amendment would have created a deficit neutral reserve fund, essentially a budgetary placeholder, that "promoted a substantial increase in the minimum wage."
It did not specify how high the federal minimum wage, which now sits at $7.25, should be raised.
"Since 1968, the real value of the federal minimum wage has fallen by close to 30 percent," Sanders, who is considering a 2016 presidential bid, said ahead of the vote. "Let us stand today with the tens of millions of workers who are struggling to put food on the table, to take care of their families. Let us raise the minimum wage."
Sen. Mike Enzi
Michael (Mike) Bradley EnziWill Senate GOP try to pass a budget this year? Presumptive benefits to Blue Water Navy veterans are a major win If single payer were really a bargain, supporters like Rep. John Yarmuth would be upfront about its cost MORE (R-Wyo.), the chairman of the Budget Committee, said that the budget wasn't the place for Sanders's amendment."This isn’t the proper place for this, it can be done as regular legislation at any time," he said.
The Wyoming Republican called the minimum wage the “training wage."
