President Obama calls for higher minimum wage following disappointing job report

Obama hold conference to discuss minimum wage, among other things.

(Image credit: Win McNamee/Getty Images)

published 6 May 2016

Following the weakest job report in seven months, President Obama spoke to the press Friday about the economy and publicly called for Congress to raise the minimum wage.

"To reward some of the hardest working people in America, Congress should raise the minimum wage," Obama said, pointing out that by raising paychecks, people would also spend more and boost business.

Obama further asked Congress to "pass smart new trade agreements" to crack down on foreign competition as well as reform the tax code by closing wasteful loopholes. In addition for his call for action, Obama also explained the positives to the job report, which you can watch below. Jeva Lange

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Jeva Lange was the executive editor at TheWeek.com. She formerly served as The Week's deputy editor and culture critic. She is also a contributor to Screen Slate, and her writing has appeared in The New York Daily News, The Awl, Vice, and Gothamist, among other publications. Jeva lives in New York City. Follow her on Twitter.