By Alabama Public Radio
Washington, DC – Alabama's Republican U-S Senators voted against a Democratic proposal that would raise the federal minimum wage. Democratic Senator Edward Kennedy of Massachusetts wanted to raise it to seven dollars and 25 cents an hour over a two year period. Senators Richard Shelby and Jeff Sessions voted to reject Kennedy's proposal. But the two voted in favor of a Republican plan. Republicans offered to increase the minimum wage by one dollar and ten cents over 18 months. The minimum wage is currently five dollars and 15 cents an hour.