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WASHINGTON (AP) - Civil rights leaders say they left a meeting with President Barack Obama convinced that he'll fight for jobs, worker training, a higher minimum wage and voting rights.
Rev. Al Sharpton says Tuesday's 90-minute White House meeting covered a range of concerns. One topic not discussed, however, was a new finding by congressional auditors that a higher minimum wage will boost pay for millions of people but cost about 500,000 jobs.
Obama and Democrats want Congress to raise the minimum wage. Republicans strongly oppose, saying jobs will be lost as a result.
National Urban League President Marc Morial (MAW'-ree-al) told reporters afterward that his organization's research shows that a higher minimum wage won't cost jobs.
Obama recently signed an executive order raising the hourly minimum to $10.10 for federal contractors.
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