Senate Democrats drop proposal to penalize companies for not providing $15 minimum wage

[Donkees]

By Manu Raju and Paul LeBlanc, CNN
Updated 8:22 AM ET, Mon March 1, 2021

Excerpt:

Senate Democrats decided Sunday to abandon an alternative proposal to penalize companies for not providing a $15 minimum wage to their employees, the latest indication that boosting the federal minimum wage in this Congress remains an extremely tall order, according to a person involved in the talks.

Senate Democrats had a difficult time crafting the tax provisions in their alternative minimum wage proposal, sources said, so they are looking at other potential avenues to boost the rate. Yet it underscores the dire chances of boosting the wage after the parliamentarian's ruling.

If they can't find an alternative rate hike to fit into the budget reconciliation bill, which they're trying to pass by the middle of March, they will have to try to pass such a plan through regular order, meaning 60 votes would be needed in the 50-50 Senate.

The Senate could move to open debate on the bill as soon as Wednesday, with a marathon voting session on amendments -- known in the Senate as a vote-a-rama -- potentially Thursday. But the timing is still in flux.

Democrats were still finalizing their plans to bring the Covid-19 relief bill to the Senate floor, a source with knowledge of the matter said, in part because the measure is still going through a review by the Senate parliamentarian.

https://www.cnn.com/2021/02/28/politics/minimum-wage-senate-democrats/index.html

[Donkees]

1. Pres. Biden will join the Senate Dem caucus lunch on Tuesday ...

This comes ahead of Senate consideration of the Dem covid relief bill, which is still undergoing review by the Senate parliamentarian. Dems looking at potentially opening up debate on relief bill Wednesday and marathon voting session (vote-a-rama) on Thursday

Link to tweet

[gab13by13]

2. I mean, Dems just about have to do this, IMO.

We need to get the Rescue package passed and adding the $15 minimum wage to it will endanger its passage.

Dems should not give up on the minimum wage but I think it's a good move to wait until after the Rescue Bill becomes law.

The Rescue Bill will be a huge success, it is a big deal.

[Donkees]

3. Senators are walking into legislative minefield with a marathon voting session on amendments ...

Senators are walking into legislative minefield with a marathon voting session on amendments to relief bill. Dems are wary of amendments that could upend their fragile coalition. So they’re urging members to stick together against key GOP amendments.

Link to tweet

Senators are walking into a legislative minefield later this week since the relief bill is being considered under budget reconciliation rules that allow a free-flowing amendment process, meaning senators can force votes on as many amendments as they like. That means if two Democrats break ranks, they could amend the bill with the backing of 49 Republicans.

But Democratic leaders want their caucus to hold the line against amendments that could alter the core of the bill and ultimately derail the chances of getting the sweeping measure out of both chambers by March 14 -- when jobless benefits are set to expire for millions of Americans.

Asked if he wanted his caucus to hold the line against GOP amendments, Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin told CNN: "Certainly (against) any amendments that we think will be disruptive of the reconciliation process -- maybe more."

Durbin added of the GOP amendments: "There are some that could be lethal. So, we have to take it very seriously."