Comp Time Bill - Tuesday, May 21, 2013

What was the final vote?
         
All Democrats voted RIGHT (against the “comp time” bill) except for: Cuellar (TX-28), Matheson (UT-4) and Peterson (MN-7). All Republicans voted WRONG (for the bill) except for: Grimm (NY-11), Hanna (NY-22), Joyce (OH-14), LoBiondo (NJ-2), Meehan (PA-7), Runyan (NJ-3), Smith (NJ-4) and Young (AK-AL). The following did not vote: Gutierrez (IL-4), Markey (MA-5), Pearce (NM-2), Royce (CA-39) and Webster (FL-10).

What happens to the bill now?
         
Since it passed the House, it now goes to the Senate where there are no plans for action on the bill. The bill sits in the Senate’s Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, which is chaired by Senator Tom Harkin of Iowa.  Harkin commented on the bill:

“I think this is the wrong approach to the very critical problem of helping workers balance job responsibilities with family and caregiving.”¹

The White House has also indicated that the President would veto the bill, should it ever come to that:

“The Administration strongly opposes H.R. 1406. This legislation undermines the existing right to hard-earned overtime pay, on which many working families rely to make ends meet, while misrepresenting itself as a workplace flexibility measure that gives power to employees over their own schedules.”²

We will continue to watch the legislation. If there are any signs of movement, we’ll act again!

What can we do?
           

We need to hold those that voted in favor of this bill accountable. We fought this in 1997, 2003 and now, 2013. It’s important to keep spreading the word to let people know their Representative’s position on the bill. For those lawmakers who were with us, please call and thank them. For those that voted for “comp time,” please express your disappointment and let them know that you will be sharing their position with others. The toll-free number for the Capitol switchboard is 866-297-3817.