Now on president obama desk. What made it dramatic . What made it dramatic, we knew it would probably pass but in the senate there are procedural hurdles requiring a 60vote threshold to move to final passage. Sometimes they can work out a deal where it just requires a majority vote but ted cruz, a republican in the senate, voiced against using that threshold, moving for 60 votes to move on the bill. That would require at least five republican senators to put their necks out on the line on a bill thats politically hurtful to them. So it was dramatic in a way that we didnt know how many and which senators on the republican side would vote to move forward with this bill. And what was most surprising to us was that minority leader Mitch Mcconnel who is in a reelection fight, facing a primary challenge, was one of those who voted to proceed with this bill. He, of course, is the leader of the republicans in the senate and john boehner, the House Speaker, earlier this week, did the same thing. What did g. O. P. Leadership do to get the votes needed to pass . They talked about it during their Conference Meeting earlier today on the senate side and basically mcconnell and a couple of other Republican Leaders and republican senators decided to voice support for moving forward with the bill which gave the over the ofvote over the 60vote majority they needed. The vote on the closure motion was 6 votes tissue 60 votes. The final passage was on party lines, democrats voting to support raising the debt ceil, republicans voting against it. You sent a tweet out saying that standing next to mcconnell on the floor were senators who switch thared vote to yes, providing cover for the g. O. P. Leader. What reaction has there been to senator mcconnells yes vote . It was a surprise but this is something that leadership does and typically should do, the politics, though, of a mid term election year, especially for Mitch Mcconnell and especially since control of the senate is at stake, republicans have a chance, to take control of the senate. This move was surprising as it is kind of politically can be politically harmful. So it was remarkable to watch a handful of other republican senators join with the leader to provide him some cover as well. I would just, you know, point out though for clarification that this was a motion to proceed with the bill. All of these senates ended up voting against final passage. But that procedural vote is really key in getting this over the finish line. With the house passing the debt ceiling bill first and now the senate, what does this mean for the influence of conservatives in both of those chambers . Conservative outside groups are very vocal in their opposition to this bill. Theyve been vocal in the past and have been pushing boehner to attempt something to the debt ceiling that addresses the debt. But the House Speaker exhausted all different kinds of options, policy additions to this bill and decided that going with a clean bill would be the best for the party considering that they took a big hit during the Government Shutdown and in previous battles over the debt ceiling to kind of get this issue behind them and focus on items that unite the party, namely, jobs and the economy and opposition to the Health Care Reform bill. The conservative outside groups will continue to voice opposition, criticize the speaker for this move, but within the chamber itself, there doesnt seem to be wide opposition to, you know, the way things panned out from conservatives. In other words, were not seeing conservatives rise up and revolt against the speaker or against the minority leader as we have seen in during debates in the past. Caitlin hueyburns is the congressional reporter with realclear politics realclearpolitics. Com. Thank you. Thank you. On cspan tonight, president obama signed the executive order raising minimum wage for contract workers. The committee to hearing on approving for voters. President obama signed an executive order raising minimum wage for contract workers. It takes us to the beginning of ceremony,he signing he called on congress to raise the National Minimum wage for all workers. This is 20 minutes. [cheers and applause] hello, everybody. Thank you. Thank you, thank you, thank you. Thank you. Thank you so much. Everybody have a seat, have a seat. [laughter] welcome to the white house, everybody. I know you had to come here before you go buy some shovels and some salt. [laughter] it sounds like we may get a little snow. But i very much appreciate everybody being here. I want to thank first and foremost the workers who are with me here this afternoon. [cheers and applause] and i want to thank two champions for all hardworking americans. Weve got secretary of labor here. [cheers and applause] hes in the house. Right here. I didnt know where he was. And weve got outstanding congressman who is used to snow because hes from minnesota, congressman keith ellison. [cheers and applause] now, its been just over two weeks since i delivered my state of the Union Address and i said this year would be a year of action. And i meant it. Over the past 14 days ive ordered an acrosstheboard reform of our job training programs, to train folks with the skills that employers need and match them up with good jobs that are ready to be filled right now. Ive directed the treasury to create something were calling myra. Kind of like an i. R. A. But its myra. And thats a new way for americans to start saving for retirement and you can start with as little as 25, 50, and Start Building up a little bit of a nest egg. And get tax benefits for doing so. Weve rallied the leaders of some of americas biggest hightech companies to help us make sure that all of our kids have access to highspeed internet and uptodate technology in their classrooms, so that theyre learning the skills that they need for the new economy. We brought together Business Leaders who are committed to hiring more unemployed americans, particularly longterm unemployed who oftentimes are discriminated against. Theyre in a catch22. They havent had a job for a while and then the employers not willing to look at the resume because they havent had a job for a while. So the point is, im eager to work with Congress Whenever i can find opportunities to expand opportunity for more families. But wherever i can act on my own without congress, by using my pen to take executive actions, or taking up the phone and rallying folks around a common cause, thats what im going to do. [applause] and so, that brings me to the issue were going to talk about today. After the worst economic crisis in generations, our economy has been growing for the past four years. And our [applause] our businesses have created 8 1 2 million new jobs. Unemployment rate has come down. But while those at the top are doing better than ever, corporate profits have been high, stock market has been high, average wages have barely budged. So youve got too Many Americans who are working harder than ever before just to get by but they cant seem to get ahead. Cant seem to make all the ends meet. And thats been true since long before the recession hit. Weve got to reverse those trends. Weve got to build an economy that works for everybody. Not just the fortunate few. And weve got to restore opportunity for everybody. So that no matter who you are, no matter how you started out, no matter what you look like, no matter what your last name is, you can get ahead in america if youre willing to work hard and take responsibility for your life. All right . [applause] so the opportunity that ive laid out is going to help us do just that. Part one of this agenda is more new jobs that pay a good wage. Jobs in manufacturing and exports and energy and innovation. Part two, weve got to train the folks with the skills to fill those jobs. Part three, weve got to make sure every child gets a worldclass education. And part four, weve got to make sure that the economy rewards hard work for every american. Making hard work pay off with Economic Security and decent wages and benefits is what were about here today. It means making sure women earn equal pay for equal work. [applause] it means making sure workers have the chance to save for a dignified retirement. [applause] it means access to Affordable Health insurance that gives you the freedom to change jobs or be your own boss and the peace of mind that it will be there for you when you get sick and you need it most. [applause] so if you know anybody who doesnt have Health Insurance right now. [laughter] send them to healthcare. Gov, websites working. [laughter] sign them up. You can get health care for less than your cell phone bill for a lot of folks. But it also means that in the wealthiest nation on earth, nobody who works full time should have to live in poverty. Nobody. [applause] not here in america. Now, it was one year ago today, one year ago today that i first asked congress to raise the federal minimum wage. A federal minimum wage that in real terms is worth about 20 less than it was when Ronald Reagan took office. 20 less. 1 5 less. So this afternoon ive invited some of the folks who would see a raise if we raise that federal minimum wage. They happen to join me here at the white house. And like most workers in their situation, theyre not teenagers, they look like teenagers, some of them are very young looking. But theyre not teenagers taking on their first job, theyre adults. Average age of 35 years old. A majority of lowerwage jobs are held by women. Many of them have children that theyre supporting. These are americans who work full time, often to support a family, and if the minimum wage had kept pace with our economic productivity, theyd already be getting paid well over 10 an hour. Instead the minimum wage is still just 7. 25. And when congress refuses to raise it, it will lose its value because theres a little bit of inflation, Everything Else starts costing a little bit more, even though inflations been pretty low, its still costing a little bit more each year. That means each dollar isnt going as far and theyve got a little bit less. So over the past year the failure of congress to act was the equivalent of a 200 pay cut for these folks. For a typical minimum wage worker. Thats a month worth of groceries. Maybe two months worth of electricity. It makes a big difference for a lot of families. Now the good news is that in the year since i first asked congress to raise the minimum wage, six states went ahead and passed laws to raise theirs. [applause] we appreciate that. You got more states and cities and counties that are taking steps to raise their minimum wage as we speak. And a lot of companies are doing it too. Not out of charity, but because theyve discovered its Good Business. Two weeks ago i visited a costco store in maryland. Costco is a very profitable company. Its stock has done great. Its expanded all over the place. But their philosophy is, higher wages are a smart way to boost productivity and reduce turnover. If employees are happy and feel like the company is invested in them, then theyre going to do more for the company. Theyre going to go above and beyond. And when i was at costco, i was meeting folks who had started off at the Cash Register and now were in supervisory positions and had been there for 20 years and you could see the kind of pride they had in the company because the company cared about them. I even received a letter the next day from a woman who saw my visit on tv. She decided to apply for a job at costco. She said, let me apply for a job at costco. They look like they do a good job. So across the country owners of small and Large Businesses are recognizing that fair wages and higher profits go hand in hand. Its good for the bottom line. And as americas chief executive, i agree. So, while congress decides what its going to do, and hope this year, and im going to work this year and urge this year that they actually pass a law, today im going to do what i can to help raise working americans wages. So today [applause] so today im issuing an executive order requiring federal contractors to pay their employees a fair wage of at least 10. 10 an hour. [cheers and applause] this will make a difference for folks. Right now theres a dish washer at randolph airport base in texas making 7. 76 an hour. 7. 76 an hour. Theres a fast food worker right down the street making 8. 91 an hour. Theres a laundry worker at camp dodge in iowa making 9. 03 an hour. Once i sign this order, starting next year, as their contracts come up, each of them and many of their fellow coworkers are going to get a raise. And by the way, that includes folks who get paid in tips. Theyll get a raise too. [cheers and applause] tip wages have gone up even slower than the regular minimum wage. Just as its good for company as i cross the country, this will be good for americas bottom line. For contractors and for taxpayers. The opponents of the minimum wage have been using the same arguments for years. And time and again theyve been proven wrong. Raising the minimum wage is good for business and its good for workers and its good for the economy. Puts more money in these folks pockets, that means theyve got some money to go shopping. Which in turns means a business has more customers, which means they may hire more workers and make more of a profit. And lets not forget, its the right thing to do. Theres a simple, moral principle at stake. If you take responsibility and you work as hard as these folks work, you shouldnt be living in poverty. Not in america. We believe that. [applause] and this executive order will cover americans with disabilities. Because this principle doesnt just apply to some of us, it affects all of us. [applause] so, im going to keep doing whatever i can to raise working americans wages. And i would ask any Business Leader out there, any governor, any mayor, any local leader listening, do what you can to raise your employees wages. To work to raise the wages of citizens in your jurisdiction. Theyll support these efforts. A majority of americans, not just democrats, not just independents, but republicans too support raising the minimum wage. [applause] its the right thing to do. So thats Something Congress should keep in mind this year. Theres a bill right now in front of both the house and the senate that would boost americas minimum wage to 10. 10 an hour. Just like im doing with this executive action. Its easy to remember. 10. 10. 10. 10. Lets get that done. Raise the federal minimum wage to 10. 10, wouldnt just raise wages for minimum wage workers, its effect would raise wages for about 28 million americans. It would lift millions of americans out of poverty immediately. It would help millions more work their way out of poverty without requiring a single dollar in new taxes or spending. Its the right thing to do. Just last month 600 economists, including seven nobel prize winners, wrote the leaders of houses of congress to remind them that the bill before congress would have little or no negative effect on hiring. On jobs. So its not going to depress the economy. It will boost the economy. Yes. [laughter] it about will give more businesses more customers with more money to spend it. Will grow the economy for everybody. So, yeah. Hes excited about it. [laughter] so members of congress have a pretty clear choice to make right now. Raise our workers wages, grow our economy, or let wages stagnate further and give workers what amounts to another pay cut this year. Restore Unemployment Insurance for Americans Still looking for that job. Or expose them further to hardship. [applause] members of congress, you can help people make progress in their own lives or you can hinder that progress. And every american deserves to know where your elected representative stands on this issue. So ask your senator, ask your representative in the house, do you support raising the federal minimum wage to 10. 10 an hour . If they say yes, tell them, good job. They dont hear that that often. Give them a pat on the back, give them a hug. Let them know, way to go. Thats the right thing to do. If they say no, be polite, dont just yell at them but say, well, why not . Ask them to reconsider siding with an overwhelming majority of americans. Encourage them to say yes. Give america a raise. Im about to sign this executive order. When you hear me talking about my pen and my phone to make a difference for middle class americans, this is exactly what i mean. Im going to do what i can, congress should do what it needs to do. I will not give up on this fight no matter how long it takes. America deserves a raise. Working families deserve to know more Economic Security in their own lives. Weve got to create new jobs, bring the middle class, build new ladders of opportunity for folks working their way into the middle class, just like these folks are doing right here. There are millions of americans who could just use a little bit of boost. Millions of americans outside of washington who are tired of the old, stale political argument or tired of folks just looking out for people who can afford big lobbyists and big campaign contributions. There are folks out there who want to see us restore an economy that works for everybody. And get back to our founding vision of opportunity for all. So, i know you guys will work with me. But go out there and organize some more. Thank you, everybody. Lets give americans a raise right now. Im going to sign this. [applause] [inaudible] [cheers and applause] [applause] [captioning performed by national captioning institute] [captions Copyright National cable satellite corp. 2014] [applause] the labor secretary was at the Daily White House briefing to talk about the president s executive order and to call for raising the federal minimum wage. This part of the briefing is 20 minutes. Thank you. Good afternoon. The president has said that this year will be a year of action. Today he will take an important step to expand opportunity by rewarding hard work with fair wages. In a short time from now the president will sign an executive order to raise minimum wage