Trump’s McDonald’s visit highlights a significant problem for workers

The last time Congress voted to increase the federal minimum wage, Lehman Brothers and Bear Stearns both still existed, Patrick Mahomes was just 11 years old and Kamala Harris was San Francisco district attorney.

The last time Congress voted to increase the federal minimum wage, Lehman Brothers and Bear Stearns both still existed, Patrick Mahomes was just 11 years old and Kamala Harris was San Francisco’s district attorney. That minimum wage hike in July 2007 lifted the pay floor in the United States from $5.15 to $5.85 and allowed for two more increases to $7.25 in July 2009. The federal minimum wage hasn’t budged since then. Former President Donald Trump’s visit on Sunday to a McDonald’s in Pennsylvania highlights the longest period without a national increase in the federal minimum wage since it was established in 1938. After briefly manning a McDonald’s fry station, Trump punted when asked by a reporter if he’s in favor of lifting the minimum wage. “Well, I think this: I think these people work hard, they’re great, and I just saw something, the process. It’s beautiful. It’s a beautiful thing to see,” Trump said. “These are great franchises, they produce a lot of jobs.”