a few days ago, Democrats were preparing to leave Republicans behind on a minimum wage. Now the GOP might be their only shot at raising the wage this Congress — because it looks like Dems need 60 votes to do anything this Congress @marianne_levine politico.com/news/2021/03/0…
Republicans like Graham, Capito and Collins said they’d look at going above $10. Graham is looking at a proposal from Waffle House to get to $15 over 6-7 years
“It is a more durable solution if it’s 60 votes,” said D Sen. Coons, who is beginning to talk to Republicans
Republicans “realize it’s got to be raised,” said Sen. King. “There are 3 principled pieces: The number, the phase-in and the tipped wage. Those are the three things we should work on. We ought to try and have some discussions. That’s the way you’re supposed to legislate.”
@marianne_levine If the parliamentarian rules it in, it's a tough slog with Manchin, Sinema and others on a number that's probably less than $15.
If it's out, Democrats could try something different to get biz to raise wages, defer to the next covid package.
Or...try to cut a deal with the GOP
@marianne_levine Right now the last option is not appealing to Democrats.
“They don’t want a minimum wage,” said Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio). “The public wants this done and the public wants a lot of things done that [Republicans] are unwilling to do.”
Biden campaigned on working with GOP. What he really needs right now is lockstep unity from Senate Dems: On covid, Becerra, Haaland. Because Rs aren't gonna bail him out
Stabenow: "We have to have every single person voting in agreement"
@natashakorecki Tanden has exposed that one early D no vote gives McConnell huge leverage. His caucus is divided too, but if Democrats don't put up 50 votes Biden may not be able to rely on Collins, Romney or Murkowski
Whip Durbin: “In a 50-50 Senate, anybody can pick a fight."
@natashakorecki Asked Manchin if he realized, or believed, he was handing leverage to McConnell by opposing Tanden: “You’re thinking more strategically than I do.”
"They’re about to find out just how hard it is to manage a 50-50 Senate," warned Sen. Blunt, a former House whip
Trump attacked McConnell in personal terms as leader last week. But McConnell still has hold on Senate GOP and appears set to tie Mansfield as longest-serving leader.
If Trump attacks again at CPAC, McConnell might not hear it: He won't be there
Even after criticizing Trump's "dereliction of duty," McConnell also has no apparent challenger. The most likely McConnell successors, Thune and Cornyn, both back him strongly
Cornyn: "I believe he enjoys the overwhelming support of the conference.”
“The biggest disaster would be if we split in some fashion. It’s exactly what the Democrats would be looking for. And most of us are going to let time be our friend," says Sen. Braun. Senate GOP primaries start in earnest a year from now
McConnell interview on future of the GOP: “Have nominees representing the Republican Party who can win in November ... Some of them may be people the former president likes. Some of them may not be. The only thing I care about is electability."
@MZanona He says he will strongly back all incumbents against primary challenges to people like Thune or Murkowski -- wherever Trump falls
"I’m not predicting the president would support people who couldn't win. But I do think electability — not who supports who — is the critical point"
@MZanona McConnell torched Trump yesterday -- after acquitting him. Don't expect him to keep going after Trump. He wouldn't talk about prosecution of Trump, or criticisms that he's trying to have it both ways. Would he oppose Trump if he runs in 2024? He won't say: "I’m focused on ‘22.”