Democratic Senator Kyrsten Sinema (Ariz.) ‘S office opposes criticism of her Friday vote to reject a $ 15 minimum wage, with a spokesman for the senator commenting on the way she’s voting sexist.
Sinema was one of them eight Democrats who voted against the legislation, which was sponsored by Sen. Bernie Sanders
Bernie Sanders Cinema Calls Back Criticism Of Its Vote Against Minimum Wage Implicating It’s Sexist Biden Takes Victory Round After Senate Passes Coronavirus Aid Package Schumer Insists Democrats Rally After Chaotic Coronavirus Debate MORE (I-Vt.) In an effort to raise the federal minimum wage to $ 15 an hour.
The Senate voted 58 to 42 against an attempt to dispense with a procedural objection to adding the wage provision to the $ 1.9 trillion COVID-19 bill, which the Senate narrowly passed along party lines on Saturday.
Fellow Democratic lawmakers and others took to Twitter to condemn Sin’s vote, with Rep. Marie Newman (D-Ill.) Retweeting a 2014 tweet from Sinema in which she wrote: “A full-time earner with a minimum wage earns less than $ 16k per year. This is a no-brainer. Tell Congress #RaiseTheWage
“To be clear, her state of Arizona wants overwhelming & 3pm,” Newman tweeted Friday night.
To be clear, its state, Arizona wants overwhelming & 3pm. https://t.co/knKM2T17J5
– Marie Newman (@ Marie4Congress) March 6, 2021
However, others commented on the way Sinema cast her vote.
The Arizona senator walked to the Senate floor and threw his thumbs down, the common signal used by lawmakers to vote against a bill, while a thumbs up indicates support.
Some Twitter users focused specifically on Sinema’s mannerisms, such as how she nodded her head down, dropped her shoulders, and bent her knee before getting up again and walking away.
Others also focused on her clothing and handbag, claiming it indicated that the moderate Democrat had no contact with Americans who support higher pay.
Did Sinema really vote against a minimum wage of $ 15 for 24 million people this way? pic.twitter.com/Jv0UXLKLHI
– Sawyer Hackett (@SawyerHackett) March 5, 2021
No one should ever be so happy to lift people out of poverty. This is Senator Sinema voting no on the $ 15 minimum wage. Https://t.co/qNfYy8co4m
Rashida Tlaib
Rashida Harbi TlaibSinema calls back criticism of her vote against minimum wage, implying that it is sexist progressives who are forcing the White House to overturn the wage scheme.Six Ways to Visualize a Divided America MORE (@RashidaTlaib) March 6, 2021
I have a thumbs down for you, Kyrsten Sinema # 15 Now #JobsAndCare pic.twitter.com/ioECzVWl6l
– Nelini Stamp (@NelStamp) March 5, 2021
Hannah Hurley, a spokesman for Sinema, however, opposed this comment and said in a statement The Huffington Post Friday night: “Commentary about a female senator’s body language, clothing, or physical attitude has no place in any serious media outlet.”
Hurley doubled down on her claims about sexism in a tweet later Friday, reiterating her statement to the Post, adding, “I’ll stick to what I said.”
I’ll stick with what I said: commenting on a female senator’s body language, clothing, or physical attitude has no place in any serious media outlet.
– Hannah L. Hurley (@HannahLHurley) March 6, 2021
The Hill has contacted Hurley for comment.
In a statement Sinema defended her vote on Friday, pointing out that she was in favor of minimum wage increases in her state in 2006 and 2016, but added: “the Senate should hold an open debate and amendment process on raising the minimum wage, separate from the COVID-focused reconciliation law. ”
“I understand what it’s like to face difficult choices as you work to meet the most basic needs of your family. I also know what difference better wages can make, ”she added. “I will continue to work with colleagues in both parties to ensure that Americans have access to high-paying jobs, quality education and skills training to build more economically secure lives for themselves and their families.”