Republicans defeat proposal to increase wage floor for the first time in 10 years
A Democrat proposal in the United States to raise the country's minimum wage for the first time in a decade failed to pass the Senate this week.
The proposal was for a three-step increase in the current minimum wage of $5.15 to $7.25 an hour. The Republican-controlled Senate voted 52-46, eight short of the 60 needed to pass the bill.
Republican critics said the proposed hike in minimum wage was a job killer. One Republican senator pointed to France and Germany where the minimum wage is high, but both countries still have high unemployment.
Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, D-Massachusetts, promised that if the Democrats win the Senate this fall, a minimum wage increase will be one of the first pieces of legislation to be considered.
The proposal was for a three-step increase in the current minimum wage of $5.15 to $7.25 an hour. The Republican-controlled Senate voted 52-46, eight short of the 60 needed to pass the bill.
Republican critics said the proposed hike in minimum wage was a job killer. One Republican senator pointed to France and Germany where the minimum wage is high, but both countries still have high unemployment.
Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, D-Massachusetts, promised that if the Democrats win the Senate this fall, a minimum wage increase will be one of the first pieces of legislation to be considered.
