Quick! Look Busy
Silly season continues. Legislation which criminalizes those who aid young women cross state lines for an abortion has been passed. More dog and pony show "hearings" on immigration are planned for the congressional recess in the hopes that a compromise bill can be passed before November. Now the House indicates that it will be taking up a 'real' bit of legislation: raising the minimum wage. Apparently more moderate Republicans who are facing heat in their re-election campaigns finally convinced their colleagues that it was time to visit this issue. From the NY Times:
House Republicans were still assembling a proposal Thursday night. But the momentum had clearly shifted in favor of considering an increase of at least $2 in the $5.15 an hour minimum wage, despite strong resistance from conservative Republicans and the party’s allies in the business community.
...The willingness of the leadership to relent on a wage vote after months of reluctance illustrates Republican nervousness about the November elections, and a desire to break for the August recess on a politically positive note. Although many states now require higher wage levels, the federal minimum wage has remained at $5.15 an hour since 1997.
...Republican moderates used a closed party meeting on Thursday to make their case for a vote, saying it was crucial for helping to dispel the party’s antiworker image.
The moderates ran into opposition from conservatives who said the wage proposal could turn off campaign contributors with the elections looming and drive away the party’s business base. But some lawmakers said opponents also recognized the political necessity of giving moderates some political cover, a prospect more appealing than potentially losing their majority in the House. [Emphasis added]
Democrats are concerned that the bill will also contain some provisions which will make it impossible to vote for, and with good reason. One provision being considered would give smaller employers a break on providing health insurance as a way to offset the wage increase. Still, the raise is long overdue, and even if it comes about as a bit of election year pandering, it will be welcome.
House Republicans were still assembling a proposal Thursday night. But the momentum had clearly shifted in favor of considering an increase of at least $2 in the $5.15 an hour minimum wage, despite strong resistance from conservative Republicans and the party’s allies in the business community.
...The willingness of the leadership to relent on a wage vote after months of reluctance illustrates Republican nervousness about the November elections, and a desire to break for the August recess on a politically positive note. Although many states now require higher wage levels, the federal minimum wage has remained at $5.15 an hour since 1997.
...Republican moderates used a closed party meeting on Thursday to make their case for a vote, saying it was crucial for helping to dispel the party’s antiworker image.
The moderates ran into opposition from conservatives who said the wage proposal could turn off campaign contributors with the elections looming and drive away the party’s business base. But some lawmakers said opponents also recognized the political necessity of giving moderates some political cover, a prospect more appealing than potentially losing their majority in the House. [Emphasis added]
Democrats are concerned that the bill will also contain some provisions which will make it impossible to vote for, and with good reason. One provision being considered would give smaller employers a break on providing health insurance as a way to offset the wage increase. Still, the raise is long overdue, and even if it comes about as a bit of election year pandering, it will be welcome.
posted by Diane at 4:36 AM
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