It’s become fashionable to lament “Congressional inaction” in Washington, DC. But as demonstrated by a minimum wage-focused ad campaign this month in the DC Metro’s “Capitol South” station, there are times that the economy is better off when Congress fails to act.
The first two ads point to Congressional leaders Nancy Pelosi and George Miller who support legislation to increase the base wage, despite the fact that the overwhelming economic consensus points to job loss following a wage hike. The final two ads warn of lesser-known consequences of wage hikes: soaring teen unemployment rates and a faster shift to automation – in which minimum wage and other entry-level jobs are replaced by technology.
With Congressional approval ratings at all-time lows, let’s hope our elected members of Congress don’t pursue a “feel good” policy that will only end up hurting the same employees they’re trying to help.