Senate Can’t Vote On $15 Minimum Wage, Parliamentarian Rules

The Senate parliamentarian’s decision relieves pressure on Democratic leaders who are attempting to rally support for the $1.9 trillion COVID bill despite concerns from at least two Democrats who say $15 is too high.

Patrick Semansky / AP

Updated at 9:27 p.m. ET

Senate Democrats will not be forced to confront an internal political battle over increasing the federal minimum wage to $15 following a decision by the primary keeper of Senate rules.

The Senate parliamentarian ruled that a plan to gradually increase the federal minimum wage to $15 an hour by 2025 does not fit the complicated rules that govern budget bills in the Senate. House Democrats included the measure in a $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief bill that is expected to be the first major legislative act for President Biden.