White House Weighs In On SAG-AFTRA Strike, Says President Joe Biden Believes Actors “Deserve Fair Pay And Benefits”

UPDATE: The White House has weighed in on the SAG-AFTRA strike, a prospect that will lead to the shutdown of much of the entertainment business.

“The President believes all workers – including actors – deserve fair pay and benefits. The President supports workers’ right to strike and hopes the parties can reach a mutually beneficial agreement,” said Robyn Patterson, a White House spokesperson.

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In May, President Joe Biden called for striking members of the Writers Guild of America to get “a fair deal they deserve as soon as possible.”

In the meantime, other members of the California delegation in Congress are commenting on the actors’ walkout.

Sen. Alex Padilla (D-CA) said, “Every worker deserves a good wage and working conditions. I urge both sides to come to a fair agreement that reflects the changes across the industry.”

Rep. Barbara Lee (D-CA) wrote on Twitter, “It’s wrong that the talented artists of SAG-AFTRA who bring stories to life are barely surviving while studios are thriving. I stand in solidarity with all performers — and all entertainment workers — in demanding fair compensation, stronger benefits and improved working conditions.” Lee is running for the U.S. Senate against fellow House members Adam Schiff and Katie Porter, who issued their own statements in support of SAG-AFTRA.

PREVIOUSLY: Lawmakers are weighing in on the strike called by SAG-AFTRA, scheduled to start on Friday just after midnight.

Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA) said in a video posted to social media, “I want you to know I stand with you. This is personal for me. So many of my constituents, so many actors and stunt performers, so many voiceover artists and broadcast journalists, you’re my friends and you’re my neighbors, and what’s more, your fight is the fight for workers all over the country. This is the fight to make the economy work for people again. The industry is very profitable, and you should share in those profits.” He said that he would join picket lines “yelling through that bullhorn. I’ll be supporting you until you get a deal that you have earned.”

Shortly after SAG-AFTRA officials held a press conference on Thursday to announce the strike, Rep. Katie Porter (D-CA) tweeted, “Workers should share in the profits they help create. With studios raking in billions each year, it’s unacceptable SAG-AFTRA members are struggling to get by. I stand with the thousands going on strike and urge studios to make a fair deal.”

Schiff and Porter, each running to succeed Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), also backed the writers in their walkout in May, along with another Democratic rival, Rep. Barbara Lee (D-CA).

The White House has not yet commented on the SAG-AFTRA strike. After Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre initially declined to wade in on the WGA strike, President Joe Biden did, telling a gathering at the White House in May, when he called for writers to get “a fair deal they deserve as soon as possible.”

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