House Dems Move to Block Overtime Rules

[Khephra]

House Dems Move to Block Overtime Rules

JIM ABRAMS

Associated Press


WASHINGTON - House Democrats led a revolt Thursday against a new Bush administration interpretation of who is eligible for overtime, moving to block just-implemented rules that critics argue could deprive millions of workers of their overtime pay.

Democratic leaders said they had the votes, including sympathetic Republicans, to overturn a large portion of the rules, which were the first major redefinition of overtime eligibility in more than 50 years.

The overtime issue was taken up as part of a $142.5 billion spending bill for education, health and job training programs for the 2005 budget year. The White House warned Wednesday that the president would veto the bill if it included any tampering with the overtime rules that took effect August 23.

Democrats depicted the issue as a pre-election showdown. "This is very important to middle class families in America," said House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi, citing estimates that up to 6 million wage earners could lose their overtime eligibility under the new rules.

http://www.centredaily.com/mld/centredaily/news/9620430.htm

[truthisfreedom]

1. you gotta love it. 8^)

it's a wild week.

[Eloriel]

9. Begins to feel like things are

wobbling out of control, actually -- between hurricanes preceded by earthquakes, physical attacks on protesters, the "real" news about Bush's AWOL hitting the airwaves (for real), etc., it's all making my head swim a little -- thank heaven there's a little good stuff mixed in.

[LisaM]

2. Great news.

I think that sometimes we fail to recognize some of the good work being done behind the scenes.

[KC21304]

3. Great ! Let him veto it. Then Kerry can say

first Bush was for the education bill, then he was against it. First Bush was for the jobs training bill, then he was against it etc.

[Catfight]

4. REVOLT! That sounds like the Demo-dead are finally waking up! n/t

[shadu]

6. Night of the living Demo-dead!

bastard bush can't settle for half a loaf: he must veto!

[beyurslf]

5. Awesome news for the working families of America. Let him veto it!

[NewJerseyDem]

7. 22 Republicans voted to overturn the overtime rules

All Democrats voted to overturn the rules as well, so the effort was successful. However, it is likely that the provision overturning the rules will be taken out in conference unless Ted Stevens and Arlen Specter fight hard to keep the provision in.

Here's a list of those 22 Republicans:
Sherwood Boehlert (NY)
Shelley Moore Capito (WV)
JoAnn Emerson (MO)
Phil English (PA)
Mike Ferguson (NJ)
Tim Johnson (IL)
Walter Jones (NC)
Sue Kelly (NY)
Peter King (NY)
Ray LaHood (IL)
Steve LaTourette (OH)
Jim Leach (IA)
Frank LoBiondo (NJ)
Thaddeus McCotter (MI)
John McHugh (NY)
Tim Murphy (PA)
Jim Nussle (IA)
Jim Saxton (NJ)
Rob Simmons (CT)
Chris Smith (NJ)
John Sweeney (NY)
Fred Upton (MI)

[theoceansnerves]

10. those are the republicans

that want to keep their job after november.

[jamesinca]

11. Swing state reps

Kerry can use this in MI, IA, OH, PA, MO. Play it that Bush is cutting their overtime. First Bush has massive job losses in OH then he cuts the overtime for those left employed. OH he hates you for your freedoms!!!

Of course Chenney will say "This is how Kerry undermines the U.S. Military, he gives the citizens of this country another option for employment besides the military. He gives them a way to afford an education by giving them a job that does not use the G.I. Bill." He will then accuse Kerry of avoiding service in the National guard by going to Vietnam.

[Nimrod]

8. Somebody cares!

Holy crap, I didn't think anyone in Washington even remembered there IS a rest of the country out here.