WASHINGTON, D.C. –U.S. Rep. Glenn ‘GT’ Thompson (PA-5), a member of the House Committee on Education and the Workforce, has voted in favor of H.R. 6094, the Regulatory Relief for Small Businesses, Schools and Non-profits Act, which passed the House by a margin of 246 to 177.
The bill would delay the Department of Labor’s final overtime rule for six months. This regulation, which expands overtime pay eligibility requirements for employees making $23,660 to $47,476 annually, is scheduled to go into effect on Dec. 1, 2016.
“While there is little doubt that overtime rules are in need of modernization, this new set of regulations has the potential to significantly damage non-profits, educational institutions, and small businesses,” said Thompson.
Since first proposed, Thompson and several of his colleagues have reached out to the Department of Labor, seeking clarification on technical aspects of the overtime proposal and to request an extension of the public comment period.
Despite a reduction in the threshold of overtime eligibility from $50,440 to $47,476, little has been done to address the underlying concerns expressed by lawmakers.
“Such a drastic expansion of overtime eligibility will stop career advancement in its tracks,” Thompson added. “The Obama administration must realize they are regulating American businesses and workers into mediocrity. This legislation is necessary to prevent limitations on new job creation and upward mobility for employees.”
