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.
“DEPARTMENTS OF LABOR, HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, AND EDUCATION, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2004” mentioning the U.S. Dept of Labor was published in the Extensions of Remarks section on pages E1482 on July 15, 2003.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
DEPARTMENTS OF LABOR, HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, AND EDUCATION, AND
RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2004
______
speech of
HON. PATRICK J. KENNEDY
of rhode island
in the house of representatives
Thursday, July 10, 2003
The House in Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union had under consideration the bills (H.R. 2660), making appropriations for the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2004, and for other purposes:
Mr. KENNEDY of Rhode Island. Mr. Chairman, during debate on H.R. 2660, the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations bill, I strongly supported the Obey/Miller Amendment regarding overtime regulations at the Department of Labor
(DOL).
The amendment would block a proposal by the Bush Administration that will eliminate overtime under the federal Fair Labor Standards Act for millions of hard-working Americans who rely on overtime pay to make ends meet.
The DOL proposal would strip overtime rights from more than 8 million workers by allowing easier classification of workers as ``white collar'' employees ineligible for overtime.
Workers such as mid-level office workers in the offices of downtown Providence or the licensed practical nurses in Northern Rhode Island, or the EMTs, paramedics, and physical therapists on Aquidneck Island will lose under this proposal.
It is just another attempt by the Bush Administration to roll back the clock on years of important wage and hour laws.
This Congress should support the Obey/Miller Amendment and oppose the DOL overtime proposal.
____________________
