What do the nation’s most prominent social conservative, Democratic socialist and Republican populist all have in common? They’re all advocates for increasing the federal minimum wage.
Though Sens. Rick Santorum and Bernie Sanders come from opposing ideological corners, they have a common goal: To make President-elect Trump deliver on past promises to mandate a living wage. And that progressive push could be the biggest silver lining for depressed Democrats in 2016.
A self-styled blue collar conservative, Santorum has often called for policies that cut against GOP orthodoxy. The retired Pennsylvania senator and failed presidential candidate resumed the role of working class gadfly in a recent op-ed in the Philadelphia Inquirer.
Before they were on different debate stages during the GOP primary, Santorum insists that the president-elect read his book. That’s a tough fact check. Verbose and accomplished, the New Yorker is unbookish by his own admission. But it’s indisputable that the two have similar ideas about the economy and the plight of the middle class.
The senator wants Trump to negotiate better trade deals, write a more beautiful tax code and make huge cuts to President Obama’s regulations. But perhaps most noticeable is a suggestion that many in his party would consider conservative heresy.
“And yes,” Santorum wrote, “provide a modest increase in the minimum wage to help hardworking families, particularly those in the most rural areas that put their faith in the prospect of a President Trump.”
The minimum wage proposal is undoubtedly the most controversial. The party’s official doctrine recorded in the Republican platform clearly states that the issue is best handled by individual states. And while Trump aides often quote the platform chapter and verse, the candidate’s opinion is more fluid.
Depending on when you ask him, the future president supports leaving the federal minimum wage at $7.25 or boosting it as high as $15.00 an hour. Trump’s uncertainty on the issue presents opportunity for progressives.
While the road through Congress seems barred, it’s not impossible. House Speaker Ryan and Majority Leader McConnell oppose any increase. Both have said that it would do more harm than good. But Trump’s already rewritten the GOP position on other issues including free trade. Who’s to say he wouldn’t do the same with a living wage? It’s going to be a long four years.
And even if Trump doesn’t push a federal wage, his support would provide an avenue for advancement at the lower level. Voters in four states — Arizona, Colorado, Maine, and Washington — increased the wage by ballot initiative. Even his tepid support could help clear the way for more.
Reviewing Trump’s remarks, Sanders has seen an opportunity. During a CBS News interview Monday morning, the Clinton challenger promised he’d come to the Republican’s aide on the issue.
“Right now the middle class for the last 40 years has been in decline you’ve got millions of people trying to get by on 9, 10 bucks an hour,” Sanders said. “We’ve got to raise the minimum wage. Mr. Trump, are you going to work with us? Let’s raise it to a living wage.”
With a Republican in the White House open to the idea and voices from his left and right flanks calling for an increase, advocates for a living wage could have a chance.
Philip Wegmann is a commentary writer for the Washington Examiner.
