MD-Sen: Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D) Calls For Abolishing The Filibuster To Pass The $15 Minimum Wage

Received this e-mail today from U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen’s (D. MD) re-election campaign:

Americans should not be robbed of a living wage by archaic Senate rules and procedures—including the filibuster. We must increase the minimum wage, and I’ll keep pushing until we get it done. pic.twitter.com/ymfS056bux

— Senator Chris Van Hollen (@ChrisVanHollen) February 26, 2021

Last night the Senate parliamentarian ruled that the Senate budget reconciliation rules prohibited the inclusion of the $15 minimum wage increase in the reconciliation process.

This ruling shows that the entire anti-majoritarian rules structure in the Senate needs to change.

The American people voted in overwhelming numbers to hand Democrats the Senate majority. We should be able to take a vote on a minimum wage without being blocked by antiquated rules.

Since Republicans are set on using their 50 votes to block progress in the Senate, that means the filibuster has to go.

Add your name next to mine to call on the Senate to abolish the filibuster and use our majority to raise the minimum wage to $15 per hour >>

Even while we explore possible Option B’s to achieve the goal of a living wage for workers within the reconciliation process — such as penalties on employers who don’t pay a living wage — this problem will come up again and again if we don’t take action. The agenda the American people voted for must not be obstructed by obscure Senate processes.

With every single Democrat and Vice President Harris voting together, we can end the filibuster and vote to raise the minimum wage. Add your name if you agree >>

Thank you for raising your voice. We can’t allow process issues to stand in the way of the will of the people.

Chris

Click here to add your name.