Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) stood with workers and families in the 9th Congressional District of California today, voting to protect the overtime rights of millions of American workers. The amendment to the FY 05 Labor-Health, and Human Services Appropriations Bill passed 223-193.  It halts the implementation of the Bush Administration’s new regulation that strips overtime rights and pay from millions of workers.

 “Today’s vote is a real victory for American workers,” Lee said. “The regulations by the Bush Administration are really unconscionable. They are part of the ongoing effort by this Administration to undo the protections of our American workers.”  

 “Even some House Republicans, as today’s vote show, recognize that the President’s regulations mean longer hours and fewer jobs for American workers.  If this amendment had not passed, it would have meant a pay cut for our workers, and during the economic downturn that has marked the Bush Administration, our workers simply cannot afford any greater loss in their wages.  Today’s vote to block these regulations will hopefully put a stop to the largest middle class pay cut in years.”

 The Appropriations Bill now goes to the Senate for a vote.

 “The Senate now must finish this job so that we can close the deal on blocking this horrible provision,” said Lee. “In the past, there has been bipartisan support for this proposal, and I hope that, again, Republican Senators will resist pressure from their leadership and the White House and join Democrats to block these harmful regulations.”

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