Senate Rebuffs Bush, Blocks New Rules on Overtime Pay

W Post ^ | May 5, 2004 | Helen Dewar

[swilhelm73]

The Republican-controlled Senate voted yesterday to block new Labor Department rules that critics said would deny overtime pay to millions of white-collar workers, handing an embarrassing rebuff to the Bush administration on a politically sensitive jobs issue.

[snip]

But, on the final vote, Republicans Ben Nighthorse Campbell (Colo.), Lincoln D. Chafee (R.I.), Lisa Murkowski (Alaska), Olympia J. Snowe (Maine) and Arlen Specter (Pa.) joined all Democrats present except Zell Miller (Ga.) in voting to protect overtime pay.

[swilhelm73]

Way to say thanks, Arlen.

[Dolphy]

More money for the lawyers, no point putting current practice in black and white and closing out a need for them.

[Recovering_Democrat]

Arlen is a jackal, no question.

I think Bush & Co. wanted to "move the ball" on the question of OT pay, and the administration wasn't really surprised at the vehement opposition. Some things take time.

Let's see how the Senate works on permanency of tax cuts: something more near and dear to the goals of conservatives.

[counterpunch]

Arlen Specter is already showing Bush his gratitude.

[Merdoug]

Those low-life lazy WORKERS should be grateful they even HAVE jobs, thanks to the benevolent grace of the employers.

[Polonius]

But, on the final vote, Republicans Ben Nighthorse Campbell (Colo.), Lincoln D. Chafee (R.I.), Lisa Murkowski (Alaska), Olympia J. Snowe (Maine) and Arlen Specter (Pa.) joined all Democrats.

I wonder if the president still thinks it was worth it.

[JmyBryan]

Not that I like Specter at all, but given he's about to run against a Rat, it makes some sense that he would believe he needed to oppose this politically.

[nothingnew]

But, on the final vote, Republicans Ben Nighthorse Campbell (Colo.),....

I can understand the rest, but what's with Nighthorse? He's dropping out after this term anyways.

FMCDH

[antaresequity]

Why in the heck does the government have anything to say about overtime in the first place? Who decides whats enough work? Who decides whats enough pay for overtime?

Makes no sense to me at all.

[meenie]

What, do you actually believe that the employer and employee should have the freedom to work out their own wage arrangements? Why silly you, vee haf to haf the gubmint to do somzing.