U.S. Rep. Barbara Lee (D-CA) argued that raising the federal minimum wage to fifty dollars an hour was financially viable.
During Monday night’s California Senate debate, Lee made the comments, claiming it made sense for full-time minimum wage workers to earn $104,000 a year.
Lee is seeking to fill the late Diane Feinstein’s seat in November.
Other Democrats vying for the same spot include Adam Schiff and Katie Porter.
The three Democrat candidates appear to compete with who can go as far left as possible, with Lee’s call for a $50 minimum wage being the most radical.
During Monday night’s debate, Lee attempted to defend the plan, which appeared to stun her opponents and moderators.
“First, let me say, I owned and ran a small business for 11 years,” Lee said.
“I created hundreds of jobs. Benefits, retirement benefits, also health care benefits.”
“I know what worker productivity means, and that means that you have to make sure that your employees are taken care of and have a living wage,” Lee said.
“I believe it was the United Way, came out with a report that very recently, $127,000 for a family of four is just barely enough to get by.”
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Barbara Lee wants to raise minimum wage to $50.00 an hour in California.
— Sara Rose 🇺🇸🌹 (@saras76) February 13, 2024
I didn't think there was anyone dumber than AOC in congress. pic.twitter.com/EyT4Of4nlz
“Another survey very recently, 104,000 for a family of one, barely enough to get by. Low income, because of the affordability crisis,” she said.
“And so just do the math. Just do the math,” she continued.
She then dismissed her opponents’ proposals as insufficient, adding she has “got to be focused on what California needs and what the affordability factor is when we calculate this wage.”
While the minimum wage is currently $7.25 an hour, some states have their own requirements.
However, California’s minimum wage rate is currently set at $16 an hour, though the wage is slightly higher for healthcare workers and fast food employees.
READ: Over 2000 Pizza Delivery Drivers Lose Jobs Due to $20 Minimum Wage Increase
