Coats, Senators Introduce Resolution to Stop Backward “Time Card” Overtime Rule

WASHINGTON, DC – Senator Dan Coats (R-Ind.), the chairman of the Joint Economic Committee, joined a group of 46 senators to introduce a resolution under the Congressional Review Act that would block implementation of the administration’s “Time Card Rule,” also known as the Overtime Rule. This rule will force workers to log hours and limit their ability to negotiate a flexible work arrangement. It also will cost many colleges millions of dollars per year in additional operating costs, potentially raising tuition for college students.

“This overtime rule is unlikely to result in many employees seeing larger paychecks but could instead cut benefits and wages for workers,” said Coats. “Once again, the Obama Administration is overreaching with broad new regulations on employers by requiring them to devote precious resources to costly regulatory compliance.”

In 2015, the Department of Labor released a proposal to increase the salary threshold under which employees qualify for overtime pay. The department’s final rule, released last week, more than doubles that salary threshold from $23,660 to $47,476 and will result in students facing higher tuition costs and workers having less flexibility and opportunity for advancement in the workplace.

If passed, the resolution would nullify the administration’s final rule and prohibit the administration from issuing a substantially similar rule without congressional approval.

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