What’s keeping the US minimum wage at $7.25 an hour?

 

Debate exposes fissures within the Democratic Party, and between liberals and conservatives.

A Democratic Party-led proposal to raise the minimum wage in the United States would double the income of millions of Americans. But opponents fear that many small business owners would choose to fire some of their employees, outsource labour to other countries, slow down hiring, or decide to shut down if it passes.

Supporters say that the current federal minimum wage does not provide a liveable salary to millions of Americans and should be pushed to $15 an hour in phases.