Sen. Hawley files minimum wage bill after being nixed from stimulus package
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
Friday morning, US Sen. Josh Hawley (R - Missouri) announced legislation that would require some businesses to pay a $15 minimum wage.
Democrats included similar legislation in the current trillion-dollar stimulus package but the Senate's parliamentarian removed the language from the bill. If Senate-approved, the bill would greenlight billions for higher education, K-12 schools, childcare assistance programs, another round of direct payments to Americans and extend federal unemployment benefits.
The House votes on the stimulus bill Friday, it still includes the minimum wage language. If it receives Senate approval, the bill would go back to the House for a second vote.
Today I’m introducing legislation to increase the minimum wage for big business - Senate should take an up or down vote on it https://t.co/CHe2QGemSh
— Josh Hawley (@HawleyMO) February 26, 2021
Hawley's bill would require corporations with billion-dollar revenues to pay employees at least $15 an hour. Unlike the legislation previously included in the stimulus bill, it excludes small businesses.
"Mega-corporations can afford to pay their workers $15 an hour, and it’s long past time they do so, but this should not come at the expense of small businesses already struggling to make it," Hawley said.
If signed, the senator's minimum wage rule would go into effect in 2025.
Earlier this week, Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer (R - Jefferson City) was against the minimum wage increase tweeting, "At a time when our local economies are still recovering, Democrats want to make it even harder for businesses to serve their communities and pay their employees what they deserve."
