The U.S. House of Representatives in September voted to block the new Bush administration wage and hour rules that put some 6 million people at risk of losing their overtime pay. In the 223-193 vote supporting an amendment offered by Democrats Rep. David Obey (Wis.) and George Miller (Calif.), 21 Republicans crossed over to support labor’s position. The Senate cast a similar vote earlier this year.

The amendment was part of a Department of Labor spending bill 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. “Instead of weakening the middle class, as the Bush administration sought to do, we should be trying to strengthen it.”

Despite these victories, the president has threatened to veto the House bill if this language remains in the final version sent to him for his signature. “We’ve won a battle, but the war to save overtime pay is not over,” cautions AFT legislative deputy director Tor Cowan.