Hawkeye Reporter

An amendment introduced by U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) would prohibit increasing the minimum wage during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The amendment was unanimously adopted by the Senate on Thursday night.

“Tonight, I got the entire Senate—Democrats and Republicans—to agree not to hike the federal minimum wage to $15 per hour during a global pandemic, which would kill jobs and destroy small businesses,” Ernst said shortly after the vote, The Epoch Times reported.

The Sanders Budget Resolution was offered by Senate Budget Committee Chairman Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.).

“Adopted by voice vote: Ernst Amendment #767 (Re: Prohibit the increase of the federal minimum wage during a global pandemic) in relation to S.Con.Res.5, Sanders Budget Resolution,” the Senate GOP Floor Monitor tweeted, The Epoch Times reported.

“The U.S. Chamber of Commerce, in calling for a compromise on President Joe Biden’s $1.9 trillion proposal, specifically opposed raising the minimum wage,” the Epoch Times reported earlier this week.

The new amendment is a blow to Biden and Democratic leaders who were seeking to boost the minimum wage. Republicans with the backing of economists have for years warned that it kills jobs and with the current COVID-19 restrictions, kills small businesses as well.