*By Carlo Versano* Rep. Ro Khanna (D-CA) wants some credit for Amazon's new company-wide policy to hike its minimum wage to $15. The progressive congressman representing California's 17th district has [sponsored](https://cheddar.com/videos/rep-ro-khanna-to-amazon-pay-your-workers-a-living-wage) a House bill to complement Sen. Bernie Sanders' (I-VT) "Stop BEZOS Act." Khanna said Tuesday in an interview on Cheddar he thinks his legislation applied more pressure to Amazon ($AMZN), which was already under scrutiny for the working conditions of its factory employees. "It's a major, major victory," Khanna said. "I think \[Bezos\] has really set the bar." Amazon's wage hike will go into effect Nov. 1 for 350,000 full-time, part-time, and temporary employees. The company said it will also lobby Congress to increase the minimum wage at a federal level. To Khanna, whose district includes Silicon Valley, the move by Amazon ー based in Seattle ー will cause shockwaves and likely inspire other large corporations to act. "It's going to eviscerate the argument that you can't be profitable and pay $15 wages," he said. "If Amazon can do it, a lot of other companies can do it." Khanna also spoke about the federal government's injunction against California for its new net neutrality law. He said the position taken by the FCC and Chairman Ajit Pai undermines the concept of federalism, which Republicans claim to value. But the reality may be quite different. "There is no jurisdiction to take away from what the state is doing," he said. Pai filed suit soon after California Gov. Jerry Brown signed legislation establishing net neutrality protections for Californians over the weekend. Pai argued that the internet by its very nature constitutes interstate commerce and thus should be regulated federally. For full interview [click here](https://cheddar.com/videos/rep-ro-khanna-amazon-set-the-bar-by-raising-minimum-wage).

Share:
More In Business
The Top Jobs to Look For in 2023
Scott Dobroski, career trend expert at Indeed, joined Cheddar News to discuss job trends in 2023 as the U.S. labor market remains robust despite some high-profile layoffs.
2023 Traders' Survival Kit
Ed Egilinsky, Managing Director, Head of Sales and Distribution & Alternatives at Direxion, joins Cheddar News to discuss how traders are navigating rising interest rates, the pros and cons to a 'risk on' mindset, and what to keep an eye out for as earnings season heats up.
Load More