Obama again presses for minimum wage rise in weekly address

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Obama again presses for minimum wage rise in weekly address

by Meteor Blades

The general message in the president's weekly addresses in 2014 so far has been "opportunity for all." But, for the second week in a row, he spoke Saturday to one key means of making this happen:

In the year since I first asked Congress to raise the minimum wage, six states have passed laws to raise theirs, and more states are working on it as we speak. But only Congress can finish the job and lift Americans’ wages across the country.

As the president pointed out, however, a bill in Congress to raise the nationwide minimum wage to $10.10 is stymied despite being backed by a majority of rank-and-file Democrats, Republicans and independents because Republicans don't want the raise to come to a vote. The remedy for that, he said, is for other Americans to do what he has been doing, getting on the phone to members of Congress and nudging them to take action:

Hardworking Americans deserve better than “no.” Let’s tell Congress to say “yes.” Pass that bill. Give America a raise. Because here in America, no one who works hard should have to live in poverty—and everyone who works hard should have a chance to get ahead.

Amid the congressional resistance to doing what the majority of Americans would like to see happen, there was some good news, the president said. Not only are some states stepping up to the plate, some companies are, too:

(E)arlier this week, one of America’s largest retailers, The Gap, decided to raise wages for its employees beginning this year. Their decision will benefit about 65,000 workers in the U.S. That means more families will be able to raise their kids, finish their studies, or keep up on their bills with a little less financial stress and strain.

Gap’s CEO explained their decision simply—he said, “(It’s) right for our brands, good for our people, and beneficial to our customers.” And he’s right—raising Americans’ wages isn’t just a good deed; it’s good business and good for our economy.

To read the transcript in full, check below the fold or visit the White House website.

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http://www.dailykos.com/story/2014/02/22/1279513/-Obama-again-presses-for-minimum-wage-rise-in-weekly-address

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