The bill couldn't advance. Dems blocked it. Vote was 56-42. See the post on Hang Right Politics

Why should this bill pass. This should be a stand alone minimum wage bill. That is what the issue is. I am sure the Democrats would have supported it then. They would have no choice. Without a increase in the last ten years, the minimum wage is out of whack with the current rate of inflation. I made the minimum wage (5.15) in 97 at college and gas was 99 cents. Gas alone today is at an average of $3.00 a gallon. This alone should make the minimum pay rate hike a no brainer. It's a cost of living increase in other words. It's political posturing any way. Republicans didn't want to raise the rate to begin with. They realized if they didn't the democrats would have another item to criticize republicans on in the fall.

Now the dimorats prove that they want to take it all, even the family business and farms when someond dies and that they want to keep the slaves working for $5.15 and hour. If you think the dimorats are for the working people you are a fool. I've seen several mid to large dairy farms sold off because the families couldn't afford the 'Death' tax. Happens everyday and this is not to the super rich but the hard working American that have managed to accumulate a little property. Dimorats like communist and nazi's will not let you 'own' anything. If anyone other than the super rich tell you they own their home, call them a liar. The dimocrat type of government lets you live in it as long as you can pay the ever increasing taxes and when you can't they take it away. Most is sold to one of their super rich developer friends. The country is done, makes me glad i'm over 65 and don't have long to watch freedom die a slow but sure death at the hands of the communist/socialist/terrorist supporting dimorats.

Why should this bill pass. This should be a stand alone minimum wage bill. That is what the issue is. I am sure the Democrats would have supported it then.
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I'll tell you why. Because your precious Democrats, saviors of the poor, are in the minority and thus they have to COMPROMISE if they want to see something get done.

They shout about how desperate the poor need this raise, but when they have a chance to make it happen, THEY refuse. Why? Because of their class envy and hatred to all taxcuts.

Let me ask you something. Do you think the millions of people earning that low minimum wage care a flying fig about whether a few millionaires are able to leave their heirs some more untaxed money when they die?

If you were sick and starving (that is what the poor are, right? So we are told) and some guy has food and medicine to give you, but at the last second says,

I am sorry, but if I give you what you need, there is a rich guy somewhere who will also get to keep some more of his money. So you will just have to enjoy your poverty longer.

But I am on your side. Aren't you glad I am in Congress to help you?

The Democrats have been EXPOSED by this vote. You who follow them should recognize that, because now the record WILL SHOW that GOP Senator X voted for the minimum wage, while Democrat Senator Y voted against it.

Hopefully you will nominate another candidate who will tell us, I actually voted for the bill, before I voted against it.

Good points, Steve-in-Corona. I might also add that hardly anyone makes the minimum wage. The job market is tight and employers are having to pay more than the minimum wage if they want to attract workers. Those receiving minimum wage are likely to be teenagers who spend an awful lot of money in this economy. Meaning it's all disposable income to them. So if a business has to pay 40% more in wages to these kids, they are likely to hire 40% fewer of them.

But if this is really that important to the Democrats, they should indeed compromise. That's what Republicans offered them and they turned it down.

I should revise one detail of my comment.

What the record will actually show is that a minimum wage increase was FILIBUSTERED by the obstructionist Democrats - since the votes were there to pass the legislation if the Democrats had allowed it to come to a vote.

They didn't simply vote againt it - they obstructed the vote.

That will play nicely in a campaign commercial soundbite.