By Peter Schroeder

Liberal lawmakers and labor advocates want to see President Obama use his executive power to boost worker wages at federal contractors.

The groups called on the president Monday to take executive action that would give preference to government contractors that pay a higher wage and allow workers to unionize when it comes to doling out federal dollars and contracts.

With Democrats set to lose control of the Senate, they argue that it falls to the president to do everything he can to put pressure on employers to boost wages, and use the federal government’s outsized role in the workforce to make it happen.

“Executive actions giving preference to companies that offer decent wages and collective bargaining will show that we value employers who respect their employees,” said Rep. Raúl Grijalva (D-Ariz.), co-chairman of the Congressional Progressive Caucus. “It will send the message that anyone willing to work full-time deserves the dignity of a livable wage, and that’s a message every American needs to hear.”