Some facts to consider Published: 3/9/2021 2:33:35 PM On March 4 the Democrats needed the tie-breaking vote of Vice President Harris to allow the Senate to even discuss the American Rescue Plan proposed by the House. Most Republican senators and House members, if asked and absent any evidence, would perpetuate Donald Trump’s lie that the presidential election was stolen. They are like so many captive, sleeping animals in a zoo. Their spokespersons made clear they would oppose raising the nation’s hourly minimum wage, set at $7.25 nine years ago. They opposed the $1,400 stimulus provision that even Donald Trump had supported in a previous national bailout.