Chairwoman of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.), is confident an increase to the federal minimum wage will be included in the final COVID-19 relief package.
CNN’s Dana Bash noted President Joe Biden has said he does not believe it is going to end up in the bill.
“I have been speaking with Sen. Sanders pretty regularly, with Speaker Pelosi, with the White House,” Jayapal said.
She continued, “If Republicans could give a $2 trillion tax break to the wealthiest people and stop Arctic drilling, then, or continue drilling in the Arctic, then I think that Democrats can make sure that 30 million Americans get a raise.”
Watch her comments below:
Democratic Rep. Pramila Jayapal says she believes a $15 minimum wage will be included in the final Covid-19 relief bill. “I think we’re going to have to fight hard for it.” #CNNSOTU https://t.co/9mEp1utv6v pic.twitter.com/OCflwPVtNa
— State of the Union (@CNNSOTU) February 21, 2021
Bash asked Jayapal what her message is to those who oppose putting a $15 minimum wage in the package.
“My message is 30 million Americans deserve a raise. We have not raised the minimum wage in 12 years,” she replied.
Bash pressed Jayapal on whether or not she would vote for the relief bill if it did not include a minimum wage increase.
“I think it’s going to be included, so I don’t think we’re going to have to make that decision and I think we’re going to have to fight hard for it because 30 million people deserve us as Democrats fighting for their future,” she said.
Sanders said on Friday he expects he will find out next week whether lawmakers can include an increase in the bill, as IJR reported.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) said his chamber will pass the legislation before March 14.
During an interview with the CBS Evening News earlier this month, Biden said, “My guess is it will not be in it. But I do think that we should have a minimum wage, stand by itself, $15 an hour.”
White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki later told reporters the president is “firmly committed to raising the minimum wage to $15.”
She continued, “He believes any American who is working a full-time job, trying to make ends meet, should not be at the poverty level. It’s important to him that the minimum wage is raised.”