By Ammad Omar, IL Public Radio
Chicago, Ill. – One of the top Democrats in the U.S. Senate says he'll agree to a compromise on raising the federal minimum wage.
Democratic congressional leaders say one of the first things they'll do when they take power next month is raise the federal minimum wage.
Republicans tried to tie a minimum wage hike to tax cuts earlier this year, but that measure was narrowly defeated in the Senate due in large part to Democratic opposition.
Now, the Senate's second ranking Democrat - Dick Durbin of Illinois - says he'll agree to a compromise that may satisfy both parties.
"I'm in favor of a tax cut for small business if it helps them pay for health insurance for their employees," Durbin says. "If the President agrees to accept that as part of the bargain, I'd be glad to vote for it."
President Bush said this week he'd support a minimum wage hike of $2.10/hr. over the next three years if it's coupled with a tax break for small businesses.
The Democrats will take control of the House and Senate on January 4th.