Hillary Clinton Expresses Support for a Higher Minimum Wage Than Her Interns Get

Hillary Clinton has expressed support for efforts to raise the minimum wage, without calling for a 5 minimum wage. (AP File Photo)

(CNSNews.com) – In remarks to the Service Employees International Union's (SEIU) “Fight for $15” convention on Sunday, Hillary Clinton expressed support for the effort to raise the federal minimum wage to $15, saying, “It is wrong that so many people stand against you, thinking that they can steal your wages with no consequences. That… stacks the deck higher for those at the top.”

However, research indicates that the current federal wage of $7.25 already exceeds what the Clinton family’s nonprofit, the Clinton Global Initiative (CGI), and Hillary Clinton’s presidential campaign pay interns.

According to the CGI’s Website, interns who demonstrate a “financial need based on a combination of family income, moving and housing costs,” and “history of employment” may qualify for a stipend of up to $2,000 to help defray the costs of moving to and living in New York City.

On a frequently asked questions section of the Website, CGI responds to the query, “What if I need to have a job in order to do this internship?”

In response, CGI suggests that it is acceptable for interns to hold a second job to support themselves. However, they must do it outside of normal office hours, and they must be in CGI’s office for “24 to 40 hours per week during the fall and spring semesters and 30-40 hours per week during the summer semester.”

Working the minimum 30 hours per week for the typical 12-week summer period leaves the most highly-paid interns – those receiving the maximum $2,000 stipend for 360 hours of work – making $5.55 per hour. On the other end of the spectrum, interns who work full-time for the 16 weeks of spring stand to make just under $3.13 per hour – provided they receive the full $2,000 stipend.

CGI’s 990 tax filing for 2013 indicated the organization spent around $30 million on salaries that year for its regular employees.

CNSNews.com called the Hillary for America Campaign to ask whether internships with the campaign office are paid. An aide responded that they are not.

The other currently-declared candidates for the Democratic nomination, Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and former Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley (D-Md.), both support a $15 per hour wage. According to his Senate Website, Sanders pays interns in his Senate office $10.10 per hour. O’Malley’s campaign was not immediately available for comment.