In an interview to be featured during halftime of the Super Bowl, President Joe Biden has some tough news to bring to his supporters.
Democrats have been pushing for a $15 minimum wage for years and it was included in the text of the coronavirus relief package, but the president does not think it will make it to the final signing of the bill.
“You also want to raise the minimum wage to $15. Is that something you would be willing to negotiate on in order to get Republican support?” host Norah O’Donnell said.
“Well apparently, that’s not going to occur because of the rules in the United States Senate,” President Biden said.
“So you’re saying the minimum wage won’t be…” O’Donnell said but then the president interrupted her to tell her why he does not believe the provision will make it.
“My guess is it will not be in it, but I do think that we should have a minimum wage stand by itself, $15, work your way up to the 15, it doesn’t have to be a boom!
“And all the economics show if you do that, the whole economy rises. I’m prepared, as president of the United States, on a separate negotiation on a minimum wage, to work my way up to, from what it is now which is pain, look, no one should work 40 hours a week and live below the poverty wage, and if you’re making less than $15 an hour, you’re living below the poverty wage,” the president said.