[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 73 (Friday, May 21, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E932]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            MILLER MOTION TO INSTRUCT CONFEREES ON OVERTIME

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JOSEPH CROWLEY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 20, 2004

  Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of Representative 
Miller's Motion to Instruct Conferees on Overtime.
  The Bush Administration recently released their final regulations on 
overtime pay--regulations that originally called for the elimination of 
overtime pay for millions of workers including America's police and 
firefighters.
  While the final regulations omitted this group at the last possible 
minute--due to extreme Democratic pressure--let's remember their true 
intentions, that of eliminating overtime pay to the police and 
firefighters of America.
  It is so hypocritical for the Republicans to come up here and pass 
resolutions celebrating the New York City fire and police departments--
and then cut their pay.
  No one enters law enforcement or becomes a firefighter for the 
money--but Republicans had the audacity to suggest that these hard-
working men and women are not entitled to overtime that they and their 
families depend on.
  While they have had the incredible vision to reconsider their 
original request, everyone in this chamber knows--and more threatening 
to the Republicans--every police officer and firefighter in America 
knows--or will know--that if the Bush Administration and the 
Congressional Republican majorities are back next year, it is a 
foregone conclusion that they will revisit these overtime regulations 
and will succeed in their initial dream of eliminating all overtime for 
all cops and firefighters in the U.S.
  The Administration and this Congress have a sad track record of 
shortchanging police and firefighters, while pretending to stand with 
them.
  And now their revised ``compassionate conservative'' overtime 
regulations eliminate overtime protections for millions of other 
American workers.
  I received a letter from a woman in the Bronx who is a dedicated and 
experienced health care provider.
  She, like other health care providers that support us in our times of 
need, is being told by the Republicans that she might not be entitled 
to overtime.
  She writes that she is concerned that overtime work without overtime 
pay will not only hurt workers like her, but will also hurt patients.
  How can that be construed as being supportive of American workers or 
as being supportive of America?
  Sadly, this Administration's record does little to suggest that they 
understand or care about the needs of American workers.
  This Administration's record on labor issues is horrific--besides 
working to destroy the entire concept of overtime pay, they have 
attacked and tried to eliminate the Davis-Bacon prevailing wage 
provisions for our road builders and building trades workers.
  This Administration has started denying COLAs to federal civilian 
employees--COLAs they are more than happy to reward themselves with.
  This Administration has opposed legislation to allow workers to 
create unions so that they get better wages and benefits that benefit 
themselves and their families.
  The destruction of 3 million jobs, the serious attempt to eliminate 
overtime provisions in our country, and working to crack the Davis-
Bacon law--this is an Administration that does not care for working 
people.
  Support the Miller amendment and let the Republicans know--you are 
sick and tired of these overpaid, underworked people trying to cut your 
pay while raising theirs.

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