Republican Senator Joins Dems to Push Minimum Wage Hike, Dana Loesch Pushes Back

Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., is partnering with Sen. Peter Welch, D-Vt., on new legislation that would raise the federal minimum wage to $15 per hour and introduce automatic annual increases tied to inflation, as reported by Fox News.

The bipartisan proposal would more than double the current federal minimum wage of $7.25, which has remained unchanged since 2009.

According to statements released by both lawmakers, the bill is intended to adjust wages in line with inflation and provide greater financial stability for low-wage workers.

Trump’s Sovereign Wealth Fund: What Could It Mean For Your Money?

“For decades, working Americans have seen their wages flatline. One major culprit of this is the failure of the federal minimum wage to keep up with the economic reality facing hardworking Americans every day,” Hawley said.

“This bipartisan legislation would ensure that workers across America benefit from higher wages.”

The proposed legislation would require annual adjustments to the $15 minimum wage based on the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers, as calculated by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Those increases would be rounded to the nearest multiple of $0.05.

This Could Be the Most Important Video Gun Owners Watch All Year

Welch also defended the measure, pointing to the financial pressures facing Americans. “We’re in the midst of a severe affordability crisis, with families in red and blue states alike struggling to afford necessities like housing and groceries,” Welch said.

“A stagnant federal minimum wage only adds fuel to the fire.”

He added:

“Every hardworking American deserves a living wage that helps put a roof over their head and food on the table—$7.25 an hour doesn’t even come close. Times have changed, and working families deserve a wage that reflects today’s financial reality. I’m proud to lead this bipartisan effort to raise the minimum wage nationwide to help more folks make ends meet.”

Conservative commentator Dana Loesch criticized the proposal in a post on X, rejecting Hawley’s support for the wage increase. “This is a horrible, progressive idea,” she said in response to the bill.

This is a horrible, progressive idea. https://t.co/v8i63FteIN

— Dana Loesch (@DLoesch) June 10, 2025

Hawley’s endorsement of the wage hike has raised eyebrows in conservative circles, given the long-standing Republican resistance to federal minimum wage increases, which many argue lead to job losses and higher costs for small businesses.

The legislation has not yet been scheduled for a vote in the Senate.

Connect with Vetted Off-Duty Cops to Instantly Fulfill Your Security Needs

The opinions expressed by contributors and/or content partners are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of LifeZette. Contact us for guidelines on submitting your own commentary.