02.25.21

Chairman Scott Responds to Senate Parliamentarian Ruling on Minimum Wage

WASHINGTON – Chairman Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03) released the following statement after the Senate Parliamentarian ruling on the minimum wage.

“The Committee on Education and Labor included a minimum wage increase in its portion of the American Rescue Plan Act because it advances the key goals of this relief package. Raising the minimum wage would provide a direct and targeted stimulus of $333 billion to millions of workers and families that have been among the hardest hit by the COVID-19 pandemic, and it would boost local businesses by driving up consumer spending in struggling communities.     

“The Senate Parliamentarian’s ruling has no bearing on the House and should not compel the House to throw in the towel on such a critical issue. I firmly believe the House should send the Senate a relief package with the minimum wage provision and allow the Senate to navigate the procedural hurdles.

“Should the Senate be unable to overcome these hurdles, the House will continue to press forward to deliver the increases in the minimum wage that millions of low-wage workers need and deserve.

“Millions of low-wage workers – including many of our frontline and essential workers – have waited more than a decade for an increase in the minimum wage. We should explore every available option for securing a long-overdue raise for workers and their families.”