Minimum Wage, On Stage

In State of Texas v. Trump, the Fifth Circuit considered whether an executive order by President Biden, mandating a $15 minimum wage for federal contractors, fell within his authority under the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act (FPASA). That statute lets the President “prescribe policies and directives that the President considers necessary to carry out this subtitle,” provided that these policies are consistent with the Act’s objectives. The court found that the Executive Order’s purpose of promoting “economy and efficiency in procurement by contracting with sources that adequately compensate their workers” aligns with the FPASA’s goals, and that the minimum-wage requirement was within the scope of his discretion. No. 23-40671 (Feb. 4, 2025).