A $15 an hour minimum wage plan may kill the $1.9 trillion covid relief bill.
Senate Democrats may abandon the $1.9 trillion bill if it does not contain the minimum wage proposal.
Senate Republicans oppose the wage hike and most of the non-covid related aspects of the bill.
Republican Congressman Joe Wilson of Springdale called the $1.9 trillion budget reconciliation package “nothing more than another wasteful wish list. 
“This embarrassing legislation put forth by Democrats would use taxpayer dollars for frivolous big city projects and keep our schools closed as students continue to suffer. 
“We must have a more targeted approach when it comes to providing relief and working American families should come first.” 
With the exception of Democrat Rep. Jim Clyburn, the entire SC Congressional delegation voted against the bill because of $1 trillion in non-covid relief including bailouts for blue states.
The House passed the bill last weekend to raise minimum wages by 2025.
The minimum wage is expected to fail in the Senate after parliamentarian Elizabeth MacDonough said it does not meet budget rules.
Democrats are using the reconciliation process to bypass a Republican filibuster.
Top Senate Democrats also rejected a plan to penalize big corporations that don’t pay $15 an hour.
Democrats feel pressed to pass the bill before mid-March when federal unemployment benefits expire.
Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer, D-NY, needs all 50 Democratic votes plus Vice President Harris to break a tie.
No Republicans are expected to support the bill.
The House passed it despite opposition from all Republicans and 2 Democrats.
SC Republicans Lindsey Graham and Tim Scott are expected to propose changes during Senate debate.
Because the Senate is expected to kill the minimum wage, the bill must go back to the House for a 2nd vote.

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