Sen. Joe Manchin Says No To $15 Minimum Wage, Possibly Killing Push In Congress

[Celerity]

The West Virginia Democrat left the door open for an $11 minimum wage.

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/manchin-minimum-wage-15-no_n_6019a0bdc5b6aa4bad37ffca

Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) said he does not support raising the minimum wage to $15 an hour, throwing a major wrench in Democrats’ already fraught hopes of giving workers a major pay raise. Manchin, who is among the most moderate of the Senate Democratic Caucus, did, however, open the door to a more narrow increase in the minimum wage from its current $7.25.

“I’m supportive of an increase that’s responsible and reasonable, and in my state that’s $11,” Manchin told congressional reporters, adding that the rate should account for inflation. Manchin is bucking his own party’s leadership. House Democrats have already passed the Raise the Wage Act, which would phase in a $15 minimum wage over several years. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (N.Y.) is behind the proposal — as is President Joe Biden.

“No one in America should work 40 hours a week making below the poverty line — $15 gets people above the poverty line,” Biden said in late January. The White House’s proposal for COVID-19 relief backs a $15 minimum wage, and Biden issued an executive order last week that took the first step toward increasing the minimum wage for federal workers and contractors to $15 an hour.

Progressives like Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), the lead sponsor of the Raise the Wage Act, have floated the idea of using a procedural manoeuvre known as budget reconciliation to push the $15 wage through the Senate with no GOP support. Budget reconciliation allows lawmakers to pass some legislation with a simple majority, meaning that move only works if all 50 Democrats climb on board, with Vice President Kamala Harris casting the tie-breaking vote.

snip

[vercetti2021]

1. Fine Joe

Go talk to your constituents and let them know that they won't make a livable wage in the poorest state in the union. If you want $11 minimum wage for WV. Take it. The rest of us want to live without 3 jobs to pay the bills.

[Walleye]

2. So let's just write the legislation to say that in West Virginia it's only $11. $15 for all else

And let him explain that to his constituents. Sorry getting a little fed up with his act

[Blaukraut]

36. Ha! That would be fun to watch n/t

[triron]

50. Sounds like a winner!

[Demsrule86]

3. We will see. We can put pressure on Manchin.

[dsc]

4. Honestly if we get indexing I am willing to go down from $15

$13 with indexing is better than $15 without it.

[W_HAMILTON]

43. The proposed $15 *includes* indexing.

[Corgigal]

5. Hey Joe,

go take a drive in Huntington WV. Family drove through it pre Covid. How can you be against that? What is wrong with you?

[Celerity]

8. 7.25 USD ph was kicked in in 2009. In 2021 purchasing power (versus 2009) it is down to 5.45 usd

based off standard inflation. And that 5.45 USD ph in purchasing power does not really take into account things that have far outpaced inflation, like healthcare costs, housing costs in many areas, and tertiary education.

[Celerity]

19. I simply cannot fathom trying to make ends meet (even with another person, likely the

HoH's older child, especially if the HoH is a single mum, working), off around only 10-12 USD ph (that figure is two minimum wage pay cheques after tax and 35 hours PW worked per person averaged out, say 40 hours PW for one, and 30 hours PW for the other)

If it is a single person on or very near min. wage, even with no dependents, 235-250 usd PW take-home pay is insanely low to survive off of unless you live for free somewhere.

[bullimiami]

6. starting to think manchin thinks its his job to be the anti-democrat naysayer. dont care for him.

[BSdetect]

7. This country is bonkers. $15 but not till 2025 is the actual deal. What bullshit

[Celerity]

10. 15 USD was first truly floated in 2015/16. If we are talking around ten years later before it kicks

in (from 2015 floated to 2025 actually taking effect), then that 15 usd, when adjusted for inflation, will have the purchasing power in 2025 of only around 11.25 to 11.75 per hour compared to that the same 15 USD in 2015/16 (and that doesn't take into account things that are vastly outpacing inflation in terms of cost, like healthcare, housing in many areas, and tertiary education).

[Hassin Bin Sober]

42. Remember when $15 dollars was way too much even around here? I do.

[Piratedog]

9. I don't think the min wage should be part of Covid relief anyway

It should be passed on its own.

[Celerity]

11. It likely cannot be passed via Reconciliation anyway, if the Senate parliamentarian rules the way

Manchin said they would rule (yesterday on CNN).

[duforsure]

12. Now the President and VP need to sell it

To the people of WV , and primary him out of office. He keeps doing this, and they should do everything they can to rid the party of him now.

[Celerity]

16. unfortunately, he is the only Dem that can win now in batshit cray trumpian red WV

If we lose the Senate in 2022 (not probable but deffo possible due to the map) and if Manchin chooses to run for re-election in 2024, he might flip parties anyway.

There is another problem too. The minimum wage hike likely will not be allowed in the Reconciliation bill, so will be subject to a Rethug filibuster as well. The same for an absolute tonne of Biden's overall agenda (legislative bills wise). Manchin, Sinema and Feinstein (her refusal is rarely talked abut) refusing to do away with the filibuster is going to doom a lot of things we need to get done.

[FBaggins]

20. So you really want to give the senate back to the republicans?

Sounds worse to me.

[SlogginThroughIt]

37. I used to think not.

And for the most part because politics is a numbers game I still do think we need to hold his seat. But if he is willing to sink core legislation then why put money, resources and effort into his seat anymore? I am starting to theink that there is worth in showing the example of cutting bait with him and letting him lose his seat while putting resources into areas turning blue. And maybe that can be his area. I doubt it but maybe.

Let him losing his long held seat be an example of either get behind the party or fuck off.

[FBaggins]

40. He isn't in any danger of losing his seat

He's 73 and his next election isn't for almost four years.

He doesn't win because of national party support. He wins despite it.

He holds all the cards here. He would probably gain in popularity (in WV of course) if he decided to switch parties. The better idea would be to ask him what he can support before announcing your plan in the first place. Either that, or court republican support for the plan.

[theaocp]

14. Keep going behind his back and talk to the people of WV.

If he won't represent them, that's his problem. Talk to the people, just as the VP did. NOT difficult.

[FBaggins]

21. The people of WV voted for Trump by well over 2-1

The problem is that he's representing them just fine.

[theaocp]

25. So, they don't want the financial help?

I don't think that's remotely true. He's representing his donors. Go behind his back and speak to the people. I'm pretty sure they like money and stuff.

[FBaggins]

26. Everyone would appreciate "financial help"

That doesn't mean that they support just any plan that purports to be that help.

[Turin_C3PO]

32. I would bet money

that a large majority of WV voters would be for a $1400 check. It’s not a hard position for Manchin to take.

[FBaggins]

34. The $1400 isn't a hard position for anyone to take

Even Trump was trying to add it at the end. There's no reason to think that Manchin opposes that (other than his reported question re: whether everyone should get it or just those who need it).

But even if the $1400 went to every single person in the country, that would be about $450 Billion. Well below what either Republicans or Democrats are proposing.

It's some of the other parts of the proposal (e.g., the $15 minimum wage) that are having trouble getting enough support to pass.

[SlogginThroughIt]

38. You really think people in WV DON't want 15/hr?

Please. Of course they do. Only the most brain washed hardliners would reject that.

[FBaggins]

41. Yes.

I think a poll in WV of a $15 minimum wage would fail by large margins and Manchin almost certainly knows what he's talking about when he says that $11-ish is more appropriate for WV

[SlogginThroughIt]

44. Yeah I don't believe that for a minute.

And I think if Joe keeps fucking around he is going to lose his seat anyway.

[FBaggins]

45. Tell me again how you think all those republicans stay in office?

Proposals for a $15 minimum wage aren't brand new. If you think people in one of the reddest states in the country will kick him out for not supporting it... how have any of them kept their seats?

[SlogginThroughIt]

47. Roe v Wade.

That is probably the largest reason that Republicans stay in office. That, and brown people. That people will refuse to make money is not even close to being on the list. Hell when it gets right down to it they want healthcare too. Democratic positions are VERY popular. They are just too hung up on a couple other issues.

[Mr.Bill]

48. People would be surprised at how many

people making minimum wage would be against raising it by very much. That may sound crazy, but they have been brainwashed that any substantial raise would mean half of them would be laid off. The republicans have been pounding that idea into them for decades. And since it's been so long since the last big raise, many of them aren't old enough to remember that that didn't happen.

[Johnny2X2X]

15. The problem is we let it stay at $7.25 for decades.

More than doubling it is absolutely needed, but it would be a shock to the system.

Make an exception for WV and let Manchin explain it to his constituents.

If Manchin wants $11, but will take $12, get it done, you cannot leave it at $7.25, that's insanity.

[Mr.Bill]

49. Right now in WV it's 8.75.

Texas is still at 7.25.

[CTyankee]

17. If for NO OTHER REASON, think of this as a stimulus effort: poor people out of necessity will spend

their hard earned dollars immediately for necessities: food and rent. That stimulates the economy everywhere in the U.S.

The moral reason seems to have slipped his mind. But that, too.

[ecstatic]

18. In order to raise the minimum wage to 15, the government would have to allocate

billions or possibly trillions more for increased reimbursements to health care providers who employ home health aides, etc.

[Celerity]

22. institute a 1% Tobin tax on all financial transactions above a 1 million USD per annum deduction

Trim 30% off the 1.5 trillion USD now spent in toto for the war/security/surveillance state (riddled with correction and outright theft anyway), rollback the rotten Trumpian tax cuts, institute a modest wealth tax on fortunes above 50 million USD, and do away the cap on SS. Repeal the insane laws that prevent the US government from negotiating with big pharma for drug prices for Medicaid/Medicare.

That all, when combined, would generate WELL over 1 trillion (probably far more, likely 2 trillion or more) USD per year in extra revenues.

[rgbecker]

23. $8 Billion if the "Government" had to cover the entire increase to $15/hr.

800,000 Home health Aides. 90% make less than $15/hr. If you had to give $10,000 more per year to everyone of them, that totals $8 Billion. That $10,000 would bring most of them to more than $15/hr so this is a very conservative estimate. Of course the "Government" is not paying all these workers as private insurance still covers 150 million people. True though, Medicaid and Medicare would be paying for much of this.

[link:https://www.bls.gov/oes/2018/may/oes311011.htm|

[ecstatic]

28. Thanks for the info, and I didn't mean it in the way you

seem to be insinuating. By "government," I meant Medicaid, Medicare, the VA and other government-based healthcare payers.

Also, I'm not bringing this up to be an asshole. I'm just saying that issues like this must be addressed prior to changing the minimum wage to $15. You also have to factor in overtime and the ripple effects as far as the rates for other healthcare services, which would also likely need to increase.

[Liberal In Texas]

24. A good start would be to repeal that ridiculous tax cut the gopers rammed through under *T

You know the tax cut for the rich and famous and the little tax cut for the middle class that fizzles out.

[leftstreet]

39. +1

[GeorgeGist]

27. Modify it ...

So WVians only get$11.

[dalton99a]

29. +1

[Autumn]

30. His state isn't the only state in the union.

[OnDoutside]

31. Ok then, $11 in WV and $15 everywhere else....surely his donors have no problem with that ?

[Yavin4]

33. Sen. Joe Manchin is trying to curry favor with corporate donors.

He has an outdated political playbook. The old playbook is play to the interests of big corporate donors first, look like a moderate by turning against the base, and collect big campaign cash.

That strategy is out of step with modern politics. Today, you engage your base, and for the Democrats, engaging the base also means good national policy as well. Also, there's the added benefit of getting massive campaign contributions from small donors.

[octoberlib]

35. He said no to it's being included in this bill. He wants a standalone bill.

[maxsolomon]

46. $22,550/year is a living wage?

$1878/month.

He knows the average 1 br in Harper's Ferry rents for >$800/month, right?

Christ, what a "moderate".

[EndlessWire]

51. When I was a little girl

one of the incremental amounts to my allowance was $7.25 per week. For that, I got stuck doing the housework AND yardwork, whereas my brothers only had to do yardwork. There was no equity there, but my mother never, ever failed to pay me my allowance. It was hard on her, she did nothing but work her life away, and I got to spend my money on fan magazines, music and occasional blusher. I never wanted for anything.

Now, when I hear the sum of $7.25 an hour as minimum wage, I think, what? It's still $7.25?? My goodness, that needs to be changed. Those wages are insufficient for a working adult.

Employers would pay you *nothing* if we let them. I thought that the $15 amount was being phased in. It is just a detail that seems to have been left by the wayside, paying a little more by and by until your employees are comfortable. I can't believe that minimum wage is this low.

This Manchin guy is a PITA, and I am tired of his singular stance against fixing the country. Why is it always something negative? You never hear him saying something like, "We have to pay $20 an hour!" It's never an addition, only a subtraction. He is very much like a Repub.

Who would have thought that we would trade McConnell for Manchin, and make no gain. I didn't see this coming. Is this guy a mole?