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Congressman Brendan Boyle Applauds Proposed Rule To Extend Overtime Pay

July 2, 2015

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Brendan Boyle (D-PA-13) applauded the President's announcement that the Department of Labor will propose extending overtime pay protections to nearly 5 million salaried American workers. This proposal would increase the current overtime protection threshold, guaranteeing overtime pay to most salaried workers earning less than an estimated $50,440 per year.

"For far too long, Americans have worked harder, but their wages have stayed the same." said Congressman Boyle. "The proposed rule announced today will affirm the fundamental American principle that a long day's work deserves a fair day's pay."

The salary threshold for overtime pay for American workers has been changed only twice in the last 40 years and now covers far fewer workers due to inflation. Currently, only workers making less than $23,660 per year – a wage below the poverty threshold for a family of four – are guaranteed overtime pay. This proposal updates the overtime rules to ensure that millions more Americans who work over 40 hours per week will receive overtime pay.

Beginning on Monday, when the proposed rule appears in the Federal Register, the American public will have 60 days to submit comments on this rule – a rule that would benefit so many American families.

"Increasing the wages of hard-working families in Pennsylvania is essential to the health of our economy and the strength of our democracy," said Congressman Boyle. "Congress must focus on creating more good-paying jobs, growing Americans' paychecks, and strengthening hard-working families."