Secret Squirrel
09-10-2004, 01:11 PM
WASHINGTON -- In a sharp rebuke of a new administration policy, the House on Thursday voted to block the Labor Department from carrying out overtime rules that critics argued could deprive millions of workers of their overtime pay.
The 223-193 vote in favor of blocking the rules defied the White House. A threatened veto applies to a massive spending bill, now on the House floor, if it contains any language tampering with the rules that took effect Aug. 23.
''This is one step in the legislative process. We are continuing to work with the Congress,'' said Trent Duffy, a spokesman for President Bush.
Democrats, united against the rules, were joined by 22 Republicans in voting for the amendment to a $142.5 billion health and education spending bill.
It was unclear how much impact the House vote would have on the biggest overhaul of overtime regulations in more than half a century.
The Senate has yet to take up the health and education bill. AP
The 223-193 vote in favor of blocking the rules defied the White House. A threatened veto applies to a massive spending bill, now on the House floor, if it contains any language tampering with the rules that took effect Aug. 23.
''This is one step in the legislative process. We are continuing to work with the Congress,'' said Trent Duffy, a spokesman for President Bush.
Democrats, united against the rules, were joined by 22 Republicans in voting for the amendment to a $142.5 billion health and education spending bill.
It was unclear how much impact the House vote would have on the biggest overhaul of overtime regulations in more than half a century.
The Senate has yet to take up the health and education bill. AP