Post by bot on May 22, 2016 16:44:14 GMT -5
Hoyer Statement on the Department of Labor’s New Overtime Rule
WASHINGTON, DC - House Democratic Whip Steny H. Hoyer (MD) issued the following statement today after the Department of Labor released the final rule updating overtime protections:
“Today's announcement by the Department of Labor that after December 1 nearly all workers earning less than $47,476 each year will be entitled to overtime pay is welcome news to the millions struggling to keep pace with the rising cost of living and to support their families even while working full time. Since 1975, we’ve seen the number of employees eligible for overtime pay fall dramatically from 62% in that year to just 7% today, and this rule will ensure that 4.2 million more Americans will receive the pay they deserve for their extra hours. That the threshold will automatically update each year to keep pace with the growth in average wages is an important improvement on current practice. I applaud President Obama and Secretary Perez for continuing to demonstrate their commitment to workers and recognizing that hard work always ought to lead to fair pay and opportunities to make it in America.
“Some Republicans in Congress have already stated their opposition to this rule, falling back on the same old arguments that helping workers earn more and get ahead isn’t good for our economy. On the contrary – when wages increase, when workers earn the pay they deserve, our middle class grows. That’s good for our economy, it’s good for businesses, and it’s good for everyone. So I welcome a debate on the merits of helping to raise incomes, whether through enforcing fair overtime rules or increasing the federal minimum wage. Congress needs to do more to provide Americans with the tools to succeed in a changing economy, and House Democrats will continue working with President Obama and his Administration to put government back on the side of workers and their families.”