DeLauro: Time for Pro-Family Legislation That Protects American Workers

WASHINGTON, DC—Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) releasedthe following statement today announcing her opposition to Republicanlegislation that would effectively end the right to overtime pay.

"The bill before the House of Representatives today aims to endovertime pay and bring an end to the forty-hour work week. The House Majorityroutinely attempts to accelerate a race to the bottom, strip workers of basicrights and protections, and undermine the foundations of the American middleclass.

"This legislation eliminates the 75-year-old statuteguaranteeing overtime pay for work over forty hours a week. Millions ofhard-working American families rely on that overtime pay to get by. Instead,this bill would allow employers to provide comp time. But there are noguarantees for working people that they can take the time when they need it.And there are no avenues in this bill for workers to file grievances ifemployers do not comply.

"We need serious solutions to the economic problems facingAmerican families. Wages have stagnated for decades and, unlike in every othercompetitive economy in the world, Americans have no guarantee to time off fromwork when they are sick, or when they need to care for a sick child or ailingrelative. This lack of sick days hurts the economy, hurts workers and families,and poses serious public health risks, especially in industries like foodservice.

"We need to pass laws that provide employees with paid timeoff when they need it. TheHealthy Families Act would allow workers up to seven job-protectedpaid sick days annually. It builds on and reflects the pro-family laws inConnecticut, as well as in cities like San Francisco, Seattle, Portland, Oregonand Washington, DC.

"Yet, this Majority refuses to give the Healthy Families Actan airing. They keep trying to eliminate worker protections and undermineworkers' paychecks and benefits. America's families sent us here to representtheir interests and needs, not further their economic insecurity."