Van Hollen Statement on Obama Expansion of Overtime Pay Protection

Statement

Maryland Congressman Chris Van Hollen, Ranking Member of the House Budget Committee, released the following statement after the Department of Labor released its final rule to update and expand federal overtime pay protections to 4.2 million American workers across the country:

"The challenge of our time is creating an economy that rewards hard work and creates more shared prosperity. Too many people today are working harder than ever, but struggling to get ahead because the rules are rigged in favor of the wealthy. President Obama's expansion of overtime protection for millions of hardworking Americans is a big step forward for the economic security of families across the country. It will strengthen our entire economy while reinforcing the ideal that if you work hard, you should be able to get ahead in America.

"We still have much work to do to ensure our economy is working for every American, not just those at the very top. Republicans in Congress continue to protect tax breaks for the ultra-wealthy. Meanwhile, they ignore the need to raise the minimum wage and reform a tax code that is stacked in favor of those who make money off of money -- and against those who earn a paycheck with hard work. To keep America strong, we need a strong middle class. That means building on President Obama's overtime pay protections to enact policies that extend the ladder of economic opportunity to all."

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