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Mr. Carney: We're at a U.S.
steel factory outside of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania
with the President as part of Big Block of Cheese Day
and Ask The White House.
The President is going to answer
a question from rspring72.
Mr. President, the question is: "Is there
some way to press congress to act on raising the
minimum wage beyond the executive order?"
The President: That's a great question.
The only way to get congress to move is if the
American people -- block by block, neighborhood
by neighborhood, state by state -- tell them,
"This is a priority."
And I think many of you have heard the arguments
I've been making now for a couple years
about why this is important.
We know that it'll help families, obviously.
If you work hard, you shouldn't be in poverty.
And a minimum wage of $10.10 an hour gets people
at least to the point where they can pay their
bills and look after themselves if they're
working hard and taking responsibility.
It's also good for businesses, though,
because what'll end up happening is businesses
will have customers with more money to spend.
It's good for overall economy.
And, as I saw today when I visited a Costco store
where they pay people even more than the minimum
wage, it actually doesn't hurt businesses.
It makes sure that employees don't have
a lot of turnover, they're loyal to the company,
they're enthusiastic, and Costco is one of the most
profitable corporations in the country.
So, whether you're a large business
or a small business, this is something that
can potentially be good for everybody.
The key is the American people have to make
an argument to their members of congress.
You know, don't just talk to your own congressman.
Make sure that you're putting a little pressure
on the congressman in the next district -- to call
your friends; call your neighbors;
talk to your coworkers; talk to your family in other parts
of the country, and let them know that this
is a big priority.
And if we do that -- if we keep on the pressure --
then I think congress will get the message,
and they'll get on board that we can give America
a raise without raising the deficit or a bunch
of new bureaucratic programs.
All right?
Good luck.
I'm going to be out there with you.