Dems Hope To Force House Vote On Minimum Wage Hike

[Purveyor]

CAMBRIDGE, Md. (AP) -- House Democrats will try to highlight Republicans' resistance to a higher minimum wage with tactical maneuvers meant to draw more attention to an issue Democrats consider a winner.

House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi said Thursday her party will push a "discharge petition" to force a vote on the minimum wage matter when Congress returns from its recess on Feb. 24.

The decision may displease immigration reform advocates who want priority given to a discharge petition on that subject. Pelosi said an immigration discharge petition may come later this year.

Most congressional Republicans oppose a higher minimum wage. Democrats say most Americans support it.

Democrats would have to persuade roughly two dozen House Republicans to sign a petition to force GOP leaders to bring minimum wage to a vote.

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_DEMOCRATS_MINIMUM_WAGE?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2014-02-13-17-20-59

[Armstead]

1. The Kabuki Dance continues