Democrats Propose Phasing in $15 Minimum Wage Over Five Years

  • House to include bill in Covid package, prepares budget tool
  • Schumer says Democrats will bypass Republicans if needed

Bernie Sanders told reporters Tuesday he will put the measure in a budget reconciliation bill if Republicans oppose it.

Photographer: Stefani Reynolds/Bloomberg
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House and Senate Democrats on Tuesday unveiled a bill to increase the federal minimum wage to $15 an hour, highlighting their intention to include the measure in the next round of Covid-19 relief.

The Raise the Wage Act of 2021 follows through on one of President Joe Biden’s priorities for the aid package, and mirrors a bill that passed in the House in 2019. It would phase in the hike from the current $7.25 to $9.50 this year and the full $15 by 2025.