WATCH: Bernie Sanders confident that Republicans will never support minimum wage increase

The Senator from Vermont, also the Budget Committee Chair, argued the relief bill is the best they can do for working families. The package includes extending unemployment until September with a $400 bonus on top of the benefits already, alongside the $1400 stimulus checks more popularly talked about when it comes to this topic.

Sanders claims the COVID relief bill would lower childhood poverty by 50%. Which comes back to adding the $15 dollar minimum wage part into the bill. A contentious issue that the Republican party, namely Mitch McConnell and Kevin McCarthy, disagree with.

To make this work, it’ll need to be germane to the federal budget. “The only way that we are going to raise the minimum wage is through reconciliation or ending the filibuster. In my view, I do not see in the foreseeable future getting significant support from Republicans,” Sen. Sanders summarizes.

It all comes down a ruling from the Senate parliamentarian. Bernie Sanders affirms that the merits of a $15 minimum wage are separate regardless of whatever way that ruling may be. When it comes to the Senate vote, the Senator is confident that Democrats are all on the same page, and Harris casting a tiebreaker vote is how it’ll play out.

However some private companies have already instituted at least a $15 minimum wage themselves: companies like Amazon, Target, and Best Buy. Most recently Costco has jumped on board as well, today announcing a $16 minimum wage that’ll roll out as soon as next week.