Regulatory Relief for Small Businesses, Schools, and Nonprofits Act

Floor Speech

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Mr. KLINE. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Michigan for his tremendous leadership on this issue and so many more.

I rise today in strong support of H.R. 6094.

In 2014, the Department of Labor began an effort to update Federal overtime rules. There would have been strong bipartisan support for that effort if the Department had pursued a responsible approach. In fact, we have spent years engaging in this issue because we believe Federal overtime rules need to be modernized, both to strengthen protections for workers and to provide more clarity and certainty for employers.

Unfortunately, the Department took a different approach and finalized an extreme rule that will hurt those it is supposed to help. As we have heard from witnesses at hearings and constituents back home, the rule will leave individuals with less flexibility at work and fewer opportunities to further their careers or pursue jobs they want or truly need. We have also learned that the rule will make college less affordable and make it more difficult for charitable organizations to serve people in need.

The purpose of the legislation we are considering today is to provide some relief--even if temporary--to those who will be harmed the most: men and women working hard to grow their own businesses and employees trying to provide a better life for their families, students pursuing the dream of a higher education, and countless Americans relying on nonprofits for help and support.

It took the Obama administration more than 2 years--27 months--to complete this rule, but they have given the American people just 6 months to make the difficult choices necessary to implement it.

According to one report, almost half--49 percent--of small businesses aren't even aware the new rule exists. Imagine how many schools and nonprofits are in the same position.

This legislation will give these men and women more time to implement the rule and help mitigate its impact on students, workers, and vulnerable individuals. But the clock is ticking. Important decisions about payroll and staffing have to be made and quickly. If we fail to act now, it may be too late.

I want to thank Mr. Walberg for introducing this important legislation and for his continued leadership in championing efforts to responsibly--responsibly--update Federal overtime rules. I urge my colleagues to support the bill.

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