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Opinion
Noah Smith

The Battle for a $15 Minimum Wage Is Already Won

Even without Congress acting, companies are feeling pressured to meet what's become the new benchmark for worker pay.

Worker pay discussions now all revolve around the same number: $15

Worker pay discussions now all revolve around the same number: $15

Photographer:  Joe Raedle/Getty Images

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The Democrats in Congress will probably fail to pass a federal $15 an hour minimum wage. Amazingly, this might end up not mattering that much. The drive for $15 has succeeded simply by resetting Americans’ idea of what a reasonable wage should be.

In an age of grassroots political campaigns, the Fight for $15 has been startlingly effective. It succeeded in getting a $15 minimum wage passed in Seattle, in California, and in a variety of other cities and states. Its message was simple,  focused and — at least in the places where it has prevailed — reasonable.