Sen. Kyrsten Sinema’s thumbs-down on minimum wage vote reminds some of John McCain

WASHINGTON — Arizona Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, a Democrat, sided with Republicans and seven other senators from her party to vote down a minimum wage increase amendment to President Joe Biden’s $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief bill. It was the way she did it that drew condemnation on social media and some comparisons to the late John McCain.

Sinema stood on the House floor and flashed a thumbs down when her name was called to vote. While hand signals are not an uncommon way for senators to vote, some thought it was callous given the nature of the vote.

Hand gestures have been more frequently used during the COVID-19 pandemic while lawmakers wear masks during their votes. Sen. Mark Kelly, Arizona’s other Democratic senator, used a thumbs up to register his support for the amendment on Friday.

Sinema’s actions were reminiscent to many of a similar move by the late Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., whose thumbs-down on a move by Republicans to overturn the Affordable Care Act in 2017 became an iconic moment.

Sinema’s name trended on Twitter alongside McCain’s on Friday. Some drew comparisons between the lawmaker because they voted against their own parties. Others said Sinema’s vote would hurt workers strapped in a challenging economy, as opposed to McCain’s vote to preserve health care for many.

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Sinema said in a statement explaining her vote that she believes the minimum wage hike should be worked on as an issue separate from the COVID-19 relief bill.

“No person who works full time should live in poverty,” Sinema said. “Senators in both parties have shown support for raising the federal minimum wage and the Senate should hold an open debate and amendment process on raising the minimum wage, separate from the COVID-focused reconciliation bill.”

The amendment was introduced by Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., backed by other progressive senators. He pushed the amendment forward after the Senate’s parliamentarian ruled the measurecould not be included. The parliamentarian said the provision raising the wage from $7.25 to $15 by 2025 would have to be removed and considered as a standalone bill or as part of other legislation.

The other Democrats to vote against the amendment were Sens. Chris Coons, D-Del.; Tom Carper, D-Del.; Jon Tester, D-Mon.; Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H.; Maggie Hassan, D-N.H.; and Joe Manchin, W.V. Sen. Angus King of Maine, an independent who caucuses with Democrats, also voted against the minimum-wage amendment.