Donald Norcross: “I would like to thank the chairman for his advocacy on behalf of all working families in this country--not just today…”

“I would like to thank the chairman for his advocacy on behalf of all working families in this country--not just today, but throughout his entire career. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong opposition to this bill and in support of the updated overtime rule that will combat the exploitation of workers across America and put more money in their pockets. In 1938, Congress came together to pass the Fair Labor Standards Act, a bill that revolutionized opportunity for Americans by ensuring they were fairly compensated for their work and they would work in safe working conditions. One of the provisions in that piece of legislation was the creation of a 40-hour workweek. In addition, this legislation required employers to compensate employees at time and a half for hours worked beyond a 40-hour workweek. It was a compromise. They went on to say that there is an exemption for protection of those workers who were considered white-collar employees. As a result of their salary, their benefits, and their high level of work within an organization, they were exempt. Unfortunately, the wage level which determines who is exempt from these worker protections has been updated only once--only once--in the last 40 years. That is where the problem lies. The last time it was updated was in 2004, under Republican President Bush--a Republican President. Today, the threshold wherein an employee is exempt is $23,660.…”