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When Rep. John Katko criticized President Biden's executive orders last week, one he singled out was an order that would raise the minimum wage for federal contractors and workers to $15 an hour. Biden reiterated his support of a federal $15 minimum wage for all workers. (Thread)
This week, U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders (among others) introduced legislation to achieve that goal. It would phase-in a federal minimum wage hike by 2025. One of the supporters of this bill: U.S. Rep. Stephanie Murphy, a Florida Democrat.
Murphy may not be a name you're familiar with, but if you've paid attention to Katko long enough you know her well. She leads the Blue Dog Coalition in the House. The Blue Dog Coalition is a group of moderate Democrats.
Katko has often talked about working with Murphy because he's the leader of a similar group on the GOP side. He is co-chair of the Republican Governance Group (formerly known as the Tuesday Group). When he highlights his work with Democrats, Murphy's name comes up.
Why do I bring this up? Because when Katko panned Biden's executive orders, he accused him of codifying "far-left priorities." Based on the statement, one of those "far-left priorities" he was referring to was the push for a $15 minimum wage.
The push for a $15 minimum wage is usually blasted as a progressive or "far-left" idea, but it's supported by most Americans: https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2019/07/30/two-thirds-of-americans-favor-raising-federal-minimum-wage-to-15-an-hour/
This Pew poll found 43% of Republicans/GOP leaning independents strongly or somewhat support a $15 federal minimum wage.
This Pew poll found 43% of Republicans/GOP leaning independents strongly or somewhat support a $15 federal minimum wage.
There are blue states that have raised the minimum wage to $15 an hour. New York is one example (for NYC and, soon, Long Island and Westchester County). But Florida, which voted for Trump in 2016 and 2020, recently approved a $15 minimum wage. That will be phased in by 2026.
You could argue that this started as a progressive priority, but support for a $15 minimum wage (as evidenced by Murphy's involvement and others) isn't limited to progressives. It's not even limited to the Democratic Party.
Katko's opposition to a $15 minimum wage isn't new. In fact, he voted against legislation in 2019 that would raise the federal minimum wage to $15 an hour. https://auburnpub.com/blogs/eye_on_ny/cny-reps-brindisi-katko-vote-against-house-bill-to-raise-federal-minimum-wage-to-15/article_763939d7-654b-5560-9f62-a9bc7f8faf32.html
Katko didn't release a statement at the time, but he has said that he worries a higher minimum wage will lead to job losses. In the past, I remember him being open to some sort of federal minimum wage hike, but not $15 an hour.
I'll end the thread with two points: 1. According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, 29 states and the District of Columbia have minimum wage rates higher than the federal minimum wage of $7.25 an hour. Not all of those are at $15 an hour.
2. Katko's minimum wage stance has remained the same for years. But calling the $15 push a "far-left" priority is, arguably, outdated. When you have moderate Democrats and states like Florida moving forward with it, it's no longer just a progressive dream.
