$15 minimum wage dropped from Democratic stimulus plan

<p>Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont and other progressives have made a $15-an-hour wage a big priority.</p> (POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont and other progressives have made a $15-an-hour wage a big priority.

(POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

The Senate’s non-partisan parliamentary adviser told Democrats on Thursday night that increasing the minimum wage to $15 dollars an hour shouldn’t be included as part of their broader coronavirus stimulus plan under Senate rules.

The ruling means that Democrats won’t be able to pass the wage hike through the so-called “reconciliation” budget process in the Senate, which requires less votes than the full 60 that’s usually necessary to overpower a filibuster.

Democratic leaders reacted with disappointment on Thursday.

“We are deeply disappointed in this decision,” said Senate majority leader Chuck Schumer in a statement. “We are not going to give up the fight to raise the minimum wage to $15 to help millions of struggling American workers and their families.”