The Congressional Record is a unique source of public documentation. It started in 1873, documenting nearly all the major and minor policies being discussed and debated.
“OVERTIME” mentioning the U.S. Dept of Labor was published in the House of Representatives section on pages H712 on Feb. 3, 2015.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
OVERTIME
(Mr. TAKANO asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to show my support for America's middle class.
Currently, government rules allow for only 11 percent of salaried workers to be eligible for overtime pay. Contrast that to 1975, when the income threshold for overtime pay covered 65 percent of our salaried workers. This is because Department of Labor rules prohibit workers who earn more than $23,660 a year from earning overtime pay.
Recently, I was joined by more than 30 of my colleagues in calling for this administration to raise the income threshold to $69,000. At this level, we could cover the same number of workers who were eligible in 1975. For 35 years, American workers have increased their productivity, yet they have not been rewarded. Let's remember that it is a strong middle class that drives economic growth.
Be bold, Mr. President. Your administration can help middle class families. Raise the income threshold for overtime pay.
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