Senator Kyrsten Sinema (D-Ariz.) was criticized over the week for her thumbs-down vote to exclude the $15 minimum wage increase from the recently passed $1.9 trillion stimulus package.

Like Sinema, six other Democratic senators and one Independent senator voted against the minimum wage increase,  according to The Arizona Republic.

In a written statement, she said that she had supported previous efforts to raise the minimum wage, but suggested “the Senate should hold an open debate and amendment process” and keep the raise in minimum wage out of the relief package.

Sinema has not responded to additional questions from The Arizona Republic.

This could push the situation to a filibuster.   The United States Senate website defines a filibuster as “a loosely defined term for action designed to prolong debate and delay or prevent a vote on a bill, resolution, amendment or other debatable question.”

In order to end a filibuster, 60 of the 100 members in the Senate have to agree to cloture.  With the Senate split 50-50, many don’t think it would be possible to end it, according to The Arizona republic.

Sinema will seek reelection in 2024.