John Kline: “I thank the gentleman from Michigan for his tremendous leadership on this issue and so many more. I rise today in strong…”

“I thank the gentleman from Michigan for his tremendous leadership on this issue and so many more. I rise today in strong support of H.R. 6094. In 2014, the Department of Labor began an effort to update Federal overtime rules. There would have been strong bipartisan support for that effort if the Department had pursued a responsible approach. In fact, we have spent years engaging in this issue because we believe Federal overtime rules need to be modernized, both to strengthen protections for workers and to provide more clarity and certainty for employers. Unfortunately, the Department took a different approach and finalized an extreme rule that will hurt those it is supposed to help. As we have heard from witnesses at hearings and constituents back home, the rule will leave individuals with less flexibility at work and fewer opportunities to further their careers or pursue jobs they want or truly need. We have also learned that the rule will make college less affordable and make it more difficult for charitable organizations to serve people in need. The purpose of the legislation we are considering today is to provide some relief--even if temporary--to those who will be harmed the most: men and women working hard to grow their own businesses and employees trying to provide a better life for their families, students pursuing the dream of a higher education, and countless Americans relying on nonprofits for help and support.…”