David Obey: “The fact is that the motion that we are offering today does, I repeat does, D-O-E-S, does allow the Labor Department…”

“The fact is that the motion that we are offering today does, I repeat does, D-O-E-S, does allow the Labor Department regulations that add people to overtime protection. We do accept those updated definitions. What we do not accept is the President unilaterally, without congressional action, knocking off from the overtime protection rolls workers who now have that protection. The gentleman also says not a single union member will be affected by the Labor Department's suggested rulings. Let me point out two things. First of all, we ought to be worried about all workers, not just union workers; and, secondly, the fact is that right now unions do not have to negotiate this overtime provision in their contracts. Right now they have the protection of the law. If this is removed, then that is just another way that you are going to unbalance the bargaining table against workers by forcing them to have to go back and negotiate something which they have had by right since 1938. I dare the administration to go into any union hall in this country or any working plant in this country and claim to be a friend of workers if they veto this bill over our efforts to stop that kind of unilateral action.”