NRN.com - A key Senate vote on Wednesday blocked a bill that set out to raise the federal minimum wage from $7.25 to $10.10 per hour — a result supported by restaurant industry associations including the National Restaurant Association and National Council of Chain Restaurants. The minimum wage proposal, sponsored by Sen. Tom Harkin, D-Iowa, and largely backed by Democrats, was expected to fall short. The vote landed 54-42 and is now unable to move forward. Many Republicans and business leaders, including some in the foodservice industry, had fought the proposal, saying such a drastic wage increase would force employers to pull back on hiring and even eliminate jobs. Continue