White House Confirms Support for Harkin Minimum Wage Bill

On Thursday, several media outlets reported on an authorized leak from a White House official signaling the President’s support for the Fair Minimum Wage Act of 2013, a measure introduced by Rep. George Miller (D-CA) and Sen. Tom Harkin (D-IA) that would raise the federal minimum wage to $10.10 per hour, the tipped minimum wage to 70% of the federal minimum, and index both to inflation. During a gaggle aboard Air Force One Friday morning, Principal White House Deputy Press Secretary Josh Earnest confirmed the President’s support for the measure. According to the pool report on the gaggle, Earnest said the administration supports the Harkin bill.

The federal minimum wage has been steady at $7.25 since 2009, but the minimum wage for tipped workers has been frozen at $2.13 since 1991.

Here’s the full White House press pool report, by McClatchy‘s Lesley Clark:

AF 1 arrived at New Orleans airport at 10:41 am CSTDeputy Press Secretary Josh Earnest gaggled on board, about an hour into the flight.Highlights:ACA: he said

Obama has asked “his team” to look at administrative solutions to people getting plans cancelled, but had no details He was asked about extending enrollment deadline, but said admin has confidence website will b improved by Nov 30 and people will have 4 months to enroll, “a really long time”He was asked whether Todd Park will testify before Issa committee, and said for now, he’ll be “focused on the task at hand”– the website – but didn’t rule out that he’d testifyIran: lots of Iran Asked about Netanyahu’s criticism of the reported outline of a deal, Earnest said “there is no deal. Any critique of the deal is premature.”He said Kerry was going to Geneva to see if he could help “narrow the differences”Transfat: he said he hadn’t talked to the president about the proposalSebelius: said obama has complete confidence in herUnesco: he didn’t have any comment to reportMinimum wage: he said administration supports Harkin billCrist: didn’t know if the former fla gov and now dem candidate for guv will see POTUS in fla. Said obama appreciates his support, but no word on endorsementPool will shortly be en route to the port of New Orleans, where POTUS will deliver remarks (open press) after a tourEarnest gave a week ahead as well

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