Senate Democrats lost the support of Arizona Sen. Kyrsten Sinema on Friday in dramatic fashion when she gave a thumbs down to an increase in the minimum wage.
Arizona’s new maverick, Sinema joined seven other Democrats in rejecting the $15 minimum wage proposal, bringing the total votes in favor of the amendment to 42-58 when it needed 60 to pass.
Sen. Mark Kelly voted for the increased wages.
The thumbs down gesture appeared to be a tribute to the late Sen. John McCain and his famous thumbs down no vote against the repeal of Obamacare shortly before his death.
The vote earned Sinema accolades from Arizona’s Republicans and small business owners, who have objected to an increase in the wage as opposed to the literary middle-fingers raised in response by progressives on social media platforms.
Might f*ck around and dedicate my entire online presence to ending Kyrsten Sinema’s career. pic.twitter.com/kWk0ACBUwE
— Benjamin Dixon (@BenjaminPDixon) March 5, 2021
Sinema joined Democratic Caucus members Sens. Tom Carper of Delaware, Chris Coons of Delaware, Maggie Hassan of New Hampshire, Joe Manchin of West Virginia, Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire, and Jon Tester of Montana in voting against the proposal. Sen. Angus King of Maine, who is an Independent but caucuses with the Democrats, also voted against the measure.