President Obama today will push for lifting the federal minimum wage for all workers and sign an executive order requiring federal contractors to pay their federally funded employees on new contracts at least $10.10 an hour.
The event comes as his Council of Economic Advisers released a new analysis touting what it says is the "economic imperative" for raising the minimum wage. Raising the minimum wage, it says, "would help businesses by increasing productivity and reducing turnover and absenteeism."
The White House says the executive order Obama will sign will benefit "hundreds of thousands of people" working under contracts with the federal government who are making less than $10.10 an hour.
It says he'll also work with Congress to pass legislation requiring all workers to be paid at least a $10.10 minimum wage.
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Kentucky, predicts a tough sell for Republicans on raising the minimum wage -- if it comes up in the Senate.
"I think you'd anticipate Republicans being interested in offering as an alternative, something that might actually create more jobs, rather than something that would destroy jobs," he said recently.