Vice President Kamala Harris made headlines Tuesday by declaring her support for raising the federal minimum wage to at least $15 an hour. This announcement came on the heels of her criticism of former President Donald Trump, who recently avoided a direct question about increasing the wage during his brief stint as a fry attendant at a McDonald’s in Pennsylvania.
As the campaign season intensifies, both Harris and Trump are keen to appeal to working-class voters. The federal minimum wage, which has remained unchanged at $7.25 since 2009, has resurfaced as a crucial topic. Trump’s recent visit to McDonald’s sparked renewed interest in the wage debate, as many see it as an opportunity to discuss the challenges faced by low-wage workers.
In an interview with NBC News, Harris confirmed her commitment to a $15 minimum wage, stating, “At least $15 an hour, but we’ll work with Congress, right? That’s something that is going through Congress.” This marked the first time she specified a figure for the wage increase, indicating her proactive stance on the issue.
More Read
In contrast, Trump sidestepped a clear response when asked about his views on the minimum wage during his time at McDonald’s. Instead, he acknowledged the hard work of fast-food employees without committing to supporting a wage increase. The Trump campaign later responded to Harris’s announcement, with a spokesperson accusing her of “lowering real wages and raising prices via reckless spending.”
Harris took the opportunity to emphasize the differences between herself and Trump, highlighting her belief that hardworking Americans should earn a living wage. “So, there is a big difference between Donald Trump and me on a number of issues, including this, where I absolutely believe we must raise minimum wage,” she remarked during a campaign stop in Michigan. She pointed out that full-time workers earning $7.25 an hour make only $15,000 a year, which amounts to “essentially poverty wages.”
The push for a higher minimum wage is a longstanding goal for Democrats. Many argue that the current wage fails to meet the cost of living and that it has not been adjusted in a record 15 years. An analysis from the Economic Policy Institute reveals that those earning the federal minimum wage are making 29% less, after accounting for inflation, compared to their counterparts in July 2009.
The $15 threshold gained traction through the Fight for $15 movement, initiated in 2012, which aims to raise awareness about the struggles of low-wage workers, particularly in the fast-food sector. Although the Biden administration sought to include a $15 minimum wage in its COVID-19 relief bill, the Senate parliamentarian blocked it. A Congressional Budget Office report indicated that a $15 minimum wage could reduce poverty by 900,000 people and increase pay for approximately 27 million workers, though it would also lead to a reduction in employment by 1.4 million.
Despite setbacks at the federal level, many states and municipalities have taken the initiative to raise their minimum wages. Currently, about 30 states and the District of Columbia have implemented higher wage thresholds than the federal minimum. Additionally, several major employers, such as Amazon and Target, have also raised their starting wages in response to labor market pressures.
With the election approaching, Harris’s clear stance on the minimum wage contrasts sharply with Trump’s evasive responses, signaling a pivotal moment in the ongoing debate over fair wages in America. As both candidates vie for the support of working-class voters, the outcome of this discussion could significantly influence the election’s direction.
