President Barack Obama proposed on Thursday a change in federal regulations to guarantee home care workers federal minimum wage and overtime benefits, ending the exclusion of more than 2 million workers from the wage requirement. During his remarks at The White House a few minutes ago, the president announced the proposal as part of his "we can't wait" campaign of executive action on the economy. News of the announcement leaked earlier on Thursday, after Republican lawmakers "criticized the anticipated proposals, saying they would increase costs for federal and state programs as well as individuals," The New York Times reported. In his announcement Thursday, the president had stern words for Congress, which hasn't been able to pass a government spending bill that extends middle-class tax cuts. Congress "cannot and should not" go on vacation until they pass legislation that prevents a government shutdown, he said.

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Adam Martin