Senate parliamentarian finds that minimum wage increases are outside the scope of the appropriations process, as Congress heads toward a final decision on the latest stimulus bill this week.
3/1/2021 13:30
A measure to increase the minimum wage at the national level, which could also impact small businesses, is at the center of the debate on the stimulus bill after Senate parliamentarian Elizabeth McDonough voted against the $15 minimum wage included in the bill.
She said it is not in line with budget rules that are guiding the approval process for the bill.
The bill passed in the U.S. House of Representatives along party lines after a 219-212 vote Saturday. The Senate will consider the bill this week, where Democrats are expected to issue amendments and send it back to the House.
The bill is expected to continue to be considered along party lines through the appropriations process because there are not enough votes to move it through regular order due to the $1.9 trillion cost, ACA International previously reported.
Even after McDonough’s vote last week, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said the U.S. House of Representatives would “pass the coronavirus bill with the $15 minimum wage intact,” according to The Hill.
The issue is now in the Senate’s hands, and Democratic members and Vice President Kamala Harris would have to go against McDonough’s vote for the $15 minimum wage to remain on the table.
The end goal is to approve the stimulus package before the current unemployment insurance benefits run out March 14, ACA previously reported.
As ACA has outlined in several updates, because the bill is moving through appropriations, the legislation must be fiscal in nature. ACA is not aware of any sections directly related to debt collection. However, several parts of the legislation, including the minimum wage increase, could impact business operations in some parts of the country.
ACA will continue its engagement with Congress about COVID-19-related legislation and other issues impacting the industry.