Vice President Kamala Harris has voiced her support for raising the federal minimum wage to at least $15 an hour, stating that she would work with lawmakers to make it happen as part of her effort to strengthen her economic standing with working-class voters.
"At least $15 an hour, but we’ll work with Congress, right? It’s something that is going through Congress," Harris said in an interview with NBC News that aired Tuesday night.
Harris has made raising the minimum wage—currently set at $7.25 an hour—a key issue after her Republican rival, former President Donald Trump, avoided committing to an increase when asked earlier this week.
During a campaign stop at a McDonald’s in swing-state Pennsylvania on Sunday, Trump was asked about supporting a minimum wage hike. "Well, I think this. These people work hard. They’re great," Trump replied without directly answering the question.
Harris criticized Trump’s vague response on Monday, firmly stating that she "absolutely" supports raising the minimum wage. "Hardworking Americans, whether they’re working at McDonald’s or anywhere else, should at least have the ability to take care of their family," she said.
While Harris had previously not specified a target wage, she is now aligning with President Joe Biden, who has pushed Congress to approve a $15 minimum wage. Harris has also commended states that have already implemented the $15 minimum.
