During his Senate confirmation hearing, President-elect Donald Trump's nominee for Treasury Secretary—billionaire hedge fund manager Scott Bessent—clearly stated his opposition to raising the federal minimum wage.
Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT) questioned Bessent on the issue, highlighting that over 22 million American workers earn less than $15 an hour, with nearly 40 million earning under $17. Sanders criticized the stagnant federal minimum wage of $7.25 an hour—which has not increased since 2009—and asked if Bessent would support efforts to raise it to a living wage.
.@BernieSanders: Will you work with us to raise the federal minimum wage from $7.25 an hour?
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Trump nominee Bessent: No pic.twitter.com/OPUVN3Mfmn
"Senator, I believe the minimum wage is more of a statewide and regional issue," Bessent responded, signaling his opposition to federal action on wage increases.
"So you don't think we should change the federal minimum wage of $7.25 an hour?" Sanders clarified.
Bessent's simple reply of, "No sir," as he laced his fingers together ended the exchange.
The Treasury Secretary pick's stance aligns with a broader Republican view favoring state-level control over wage laws but has sparked criticism from Democrats and labor advocates pushing for a higher federal minimum wage to combat poverty and income inequality.
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