On September 9th Democrats took the upper hand in a two-year battle to protect the overtime pay of American workers against one of the most vicious attacks in the GOP's broad-based war on the middle class.
The administration has instituted new labor rules that independent analysts estimate will strip 6 million workers of their right to time-and-a-half after 40 hours, even as GOP policies continue to produce a middle class squeeze including a million lost jobs, skyrocketing health care, gas and tuition costs, as well as stagnant and declining wages.
Protect Overtime! Sign Our Petition to the President:
http://www.dccc.org/petitions/overtime
Catching GOP leaders off guard, Democrats voted unanimously to block the new rules, overcoming near united opposition from the Republicans, severe pressure from Tom DeLay, and a veto threat from President Bush.
But the fight is not over yet. GOP Leadership has
all but promised to strip the amendment during final negotiations between the House and the Senate, a tactic they have used to scuttle several wildly popular programs already, including this very amendment last year.
"Both the House and the Senate have now voted to block the President's overtime pay cut. Republican leaders should honor the wishes of both Houses and stop the regulations, but if history is any guide they will deceive, dodge, and delay until the bidding of their special interest masters is done. Democrats will fight to make certain hardworking Americans get the overtime pay they deserve."--
Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi
Stand with us to demand that the will of the people and the will of the Congress are respected, preserved, and placed squarely on President Bush's desk. Sign the Petition to Protect Overtime!