Senator Bernie Sanders extends an olive branch to President-elect Donald Trump, proposing collaboration on raising the federal minimum wage to $17 an hour.
At a Glance
- Bernie Sanders expresses willingness to work with Trump on minimum wage increase
- Current federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour unchanged since 2009
- Sanders proposes raising minimum wage to $17 per hour
- Previous attempt to raise wage to $15 failed due to lack of Republican support
- Trump acknowledges minimum wage is too low but notes complexities in raising it
Sanders Reaches Across the Aisle
In a surprising turn of events, Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT) has announced his intention to collaborate with President-elect Donald Trump on raising the federal minimum wage. During an interview on NBC’s “Meet the Press,” Sanders highlighted the urgent need to address what he termed “starvation wages” that many American workers currently face.
The current federal minimum wage, which has remained stagnant at $7.25 per hour since 2009, has long been a point of contention for labor advocates and progressive politicians. Sanders, known for his passionate advocacy for workers’ rights, is now seeking to reignite discussions on this critical issue with a bold new proposal.
The independent senator said on Sunday that he hopes to work with the president-elect on raising the federal minimum wage. https://t.co/SRsjzlCs0a
— Newsweek (@Newsweek) December 15, 2024
A New Target: $17 Per Hour
Sanders’ latest proposal aims to raise the federal minimum wage to $17 per hour, a significant increase from his previous target of $15. This new figure comes after a failed attempt to pass a $15 minimum wage bill, which received no Republican support and garnered only 42 votes in the Senate.
The Vermont senator described the current $7.25 hourly wage as “absolutely disgraceful,” emphasizing that many Americans struggle to afford basic necessities on such low pay. His push for a $17 minimum wage represents a renewed effort to address income inequality and improve the lives of working-class Americans.
Bernie Sanders says he hopes to work with Trump to raise minimum wage https://t.co/Fl4m5UQUWQ
— The Hill (@thehill) December 15, 2024
Trump’s Stance on Minimum Wage
President-elect Trump has previously acknowledged that the current minimum wage is insufficient. However, he has also noted the complexities involved in raising it, particularly due to varying costs of living across different states. This nuanced perspective suggests that while Trump may be open to discussions, finding common ground could prove challenging.
Despite potential hurdles, Sanders remains hopeful about the possibility of bipartisan cooperation on this issue. The senator’s willingness to work with Trump highlights the urgency of addressing wage stagnation and its impact on American workers.
Potential for Bipartisan Action
While Sanders and Trump may seem like unlikely allies, they have found common ground on certain economic issues in the past. For instance, both have proposed limits on credit card interest rates, with Trump suggesting a 10 percent cap during his campaign. Similarly, Sanders, along with Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, introduced the Loan Shark Prevention Act, which proposes a 15 percent cap on consumer credit interest rates.
This shared concern for working Americans’ financial well-being could potentially pave the way for productive discussions on minimum wage reform. However, it remains to be seen whether this alignment on certain issues will translate into concrete action on raising the federal minimum wage.
As the debate over minimum wage continues, many Americans will be watching closely to see if this unexpected collaboration between Sanders and Trump can yield meaningful results for workers across the nation. The coming months may prove crucial in determining whether the long-stagnant federal minimum wage will finally see an increase, potentially improving the lives of millions of low-wage workers throughout the country.
Sources:
- Sanders says he hopes to work with Trump to raise minimum wage
- ‘I surely hope’ to work with Trump to raise the minimum wage, Sen. Bernie Sanders says
- Sanders says he hopes to work with Trump to raise minimum wage
- Bernie Sanders Hopes to Work With Donald Trump on Key Issue
