Bernie Sanders Says ‘Not One’ GOP Senator Supports $15 Minimum Wage: We Only Get It Done Through Reconciliation or Ending Filibuster

Democrats have been pushing for the minimum wage to be increased to $15 an hour, though at this point it’s unclear whether it would ultimately be included in the overall covid relief bill Congress is taking up. A proposal by two Republican senators has a provision raising the minimum wage to $10 an hour.

Senator Bernie Sanders spoke with MSNBC’s Chris Hayes Wednesday night and said there is “not one” Republican who supports raising it to $15.

Hayes asked Sanders if he thought Democrats could win a floor vote on the issue.

Sanders almost immediately said, “No. No.”

With a chuckle and a hand-wave, he continued, “No. As of now, there’s not one Republican who will support at $15-an-hour minimum wage.”

“The only way that we are going to raise the minimum wage,” Sanders told Hayes, “is through reconciliation or ending the filibuster. In my view, I do not see in the foreseeable future getting significant support from Republicans.”

Hayes asked the Vermont senator about a “rhetorical shift” from some Republicans saying they’re now the party of working people, saying, “As soon as the issue is called, do you want a higher minimum wage, the mask comes off.”

Sanders said “that’s absolutely right” but added, “Let us be honest. Polling shows — and I think you have seen these polls — is that in recent years, a number of working people — significantly whites, Latinos, some Blacks — have moved to the Republican party. What I am fighting for, Chris, which is the subject of a whole other discussion, is what is the Democratic party? What do we stand for?”

You can watch above, via MSNBC.

New: The Mediaite One-Sheet "Newsletter of Newsletters"
Your daily summary and analysis of what the many, many media newsletters are saying and reporting. Subscribe now!