Press Releases

On Thursday, July 23 at 10:00 a.m., the Subcommittee on Workforce Protections, chaired by Rep. Tim Walberg (R-MI), will hold a hearing titled, “Examining the Costs and Consequences of the Administration’s Overtime Proposal.” The hearing will take place in room 2175 of the Rayburn House Office Building.

The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) is the primary federal law governing employee wages, hours worked, and overtime pay. As defined by regulations written and enforced by the Department of Labor, employees who are covered by the law’s requirements are referred to as “non-exempt” employees, and those who are not covered are considered “exempt” employees.

On July 6, the department released a proposal that would significantly alter existing overtime rules. The proposal would raise the salary level under which employees qualify for overtime pay from $455 per week to an estimated $970 per week in 2016. Concerns have been raised that the proposal will limit workplace opportunity and flexibility and increase costs for small businesses. Also, the proposal does nothing to address the ambiguity under current regulatory rules and the dramatic increase in FLSA-related litigation witnessed in recent years.

Thursday’s hearing will provide members an opportunity to examine the department’s proposal and learn more about how the proposed rule will impact America’s workers and employers. To learn more about the hearing, visit /hearings.

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