The U.S. House of Representatives on Sept. 9 voted to block the new Bush administration wage and hour rules that put more than 6 million people at risk of losing their overtime pay. The 223-193 vote supporting an amendment offered by Democrats Rep. David Obey (Wis.) and George Miller (Calif.) was an important victory for the labor movement. The Senate cast a similar vote earlier this year.

The amendment was part of a Department of Labor spending bill that was approved later that day. "The Obey amendment is a step in the right direction for working men and women," said AFT president Edward J. McElroy in a statement. "Instead of weakening the middle class as the Bush administration sought to do, we should be trying to strengthen it."

Despite these victories, the administration has threatened to veto the House bill if this language remains in the final version sent to President Bush for his signature. "We've won a battle, but the war to save overtime pay is not over," cautioned AFT legislative deputy director Kristor Cowan. Click here to send a message to President Bush urging him not to veto the legislation.

Sept. 9, 2004