William L. Clay: “I rise to oppose H.R. 1 because it is another piece of deceptive antiworker legislation that belittles the character of…”

“I rise to oppose H.R. 1 because it is another piece of deceptive antiworker legislation that belittles the character of this institution and heaps scorn on the intelligence of the fine men and women who constitute our great labor force. This bill is merely a warmed-over version of last year's failed comp time legislation that was part of an undignified agenda designed to undermine labor laws guaranteeing equity for workers. The majority has tried to make it more acceptable by calling it gender friendly and proworker. But fact is fact. The truth is H.R. 1 is just another assault on the rights of working people. Its title is misleading. It should be referred to as the Paycheck Reduction Act. This bill fails to provide employees with any meaningful choice. Their bosses alone decide whether comp time will be offered, to whom it is offered, when it is offered and when it is used. A recent study by the Department of Labor found that half of all garment contractors still violate the overtime laws. H.R. 1 does nothing to protect these and other vulnerable employees.”