What’s Happening:
Democrats promised unity in the wake of the 2020 Election. But as soon as the dust settled, they took the nuclear option to ram their agenda through.
They deliberately chose the reconciliation tactic to get their $1.9 trillion plan done, to avoid working with Republicans. But they recently learned, from the Senate parliamentarian, that reconciliation would not allow their $15/hour minimum wage hike.
Apparently, Pelosi doesn’t want to play by the rules and is trying to force it anyway.
From IJR:
Despite a Senate parliamentarian ruling, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) is pressing forward with the minimum wage hike provision in the COVID-19 relief package.
Not sure how she expects it to happen, when the Senate will be unable to approve it.
Some want Joe Biden, who is in a separate branch of the government, to override the parliamentarian.
From Fox Business:
Progressive Democrats launched a last-minute campaign urging the White House to overrule a top Senate official who decided late Thursday night that a federal minimum wage increase could not be included in the coronavirus relief package.
Other Democrats just want to punish businesses that won’t increase wages.
From The Hill:
Wyden is proposing a workaround solution that would impose a 5 percent tax penalty on large corporations if any of their workers earn less than a certain amount, with the penalty increasing over time.
And Warren, unheeding the consequences, wants to go back and eliminate the filibuster.
From Fox News:
“Democrats should not be held hostage by Mitch McConnell to help struggling families,” Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., tweeted. “It is time to get rid of the filibuster to raise the minimum wage to $15 and pass the other bold policies that Americans voted for us to deliver.”
Why It’s Important:
This corporate temper tantrum Democrats in Congress are having should trouble all Americans.
Seeing that they can’t force their radical, socialist agenda–due to this sticky thing called the law–they are clamoring to find workarounds.
Some want Joe Biden’s henchwoman, Kamala, to overrule the rules of the Senate. But he appears to be unwilling.
Others want to eliminate the filibuster, which was carefully preserved in a power-sharing agreement between parties (and opposed by several Democrats).
Pelosi, who appears to be the most in the dark, is still trying to force the wage hike through.
None of this would be happening if Democrats really intended to unite the country and work with Republicans. Moderates like Joe Manchin wanted a bipartisan bill.
Republicans offered their own solutions to increasing wages that would have met Democrats halfway.
Instead, Democrats rushed ahead with a bad, unlawful, aggressive move that showed they care more about their agenda than our laws.
If they continue to go this route, they will be met with more problems.