Change to overtime pay passes U.S. House
The U.S. House passed legislation today that would make significant changes to overtime pay. The vote was 223 to 204.
The bill, pushed by Rep John Kline, R-Minn., would allow workers the option to take time off instead of overtime.
It's part of a GOP campaign to restore the party's image with working families, especially women.
Kline, who represents Minnesota's 2nd District, said the bill represents conservative principles in action.
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"At the heart of the legislation is worker choice. Workers choose whether to accept comp time. Worker choose when to cash out their accrued comp time. And workers choose when to use their accrued time off," Kline said.
Democrats are strongly opposed.
They say employers will push workers to take compensation time instead of overtime pay.
"The better way to describe this bill is the more work, less pay bill," said Joe Courtney, D-Conn.
The Democratic-controlled Senate is unlikely to take up the legislation and President Barak Obama has vowed a veto should it arrive on his desk.
Rep. Collin Peterson, DFL- Minn., was one of three Democrats who voted in favor. All other members of the Minnesota delegation voted along party lines.