The federal minimum wage continues to be an ongoing debate in ...

[karlynnae]

The federal minimum wage continues to be an ongoing debate in American politics.
 
  What is the history of the minimum wage, what factors affect its setting, and how have presidents been involved in the process of setting the minimum wage? Use examples from the text to support your claims.

Question 2

Why did the Framers give legislative veto power to the executive branch?
 
  A)to overcome minority tyrannyin the US Senate and empower democratic majorities
  B)to moderate the influence of demagogic majorities and to constrain the legislative branch
  C)to empower the minority in Congress and ensure executive voice in the legislative process
  D)to force a supermajority consensus prior to passing legislation and protect against the excesses of democracy

[Moriaki]

Answer to Question 1

The ideal answer should:
a. Describe the history of the federal minimum wage as originating with the National Industrial Recovery Act, which was initially struck down by the Supreme Court as unconstitutional, noting that Congress once again established a minimum wage through the Fair Labor Standards Actand that this was upheld by the Court in the case ofUnited States v. Darby Lumber Co. (1941 ).
b. Explain that because changes to the minimum wage are not tied to the rate of inflation, but rather require independent congressional action, there has been considerable variation in the purchasing power of the minimum wage over time.
c. Discuss how the propensity of Congress to raise the minimum wage is dependent on (1 ) the partisan composition of Congress, with Republicans often opposing minimum wage increases, referring to the comments of Missouri Representative Todd Akins for support, and (2 ) the state of the domestic economy, noting that Congress has never raised the minimum wage when unemployment was above 7.5 percent and refused to raise it during the Great Recession.
d.Consider the changing role of presidents in the minimum wage debate, noting that historically presidents, beginning with FDR, worked with Congress to seek increases in the minimum wage but that recently presidents, such as Obama, have directly injected themselves into the politics of the debate, as illustrated by his executive order raising the minimum wage for federal contractors.

Answer to Question 2

B