[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 76 (Wednesday, May 3, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E593]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                WORKING FAMILIES FLEXIBILITY ACT OF 2017

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                           HON. ANNA G. ESHOO

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                          Tuesday, May 2, 2017

  Ms. ESHOO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong opposition to H.R. 
1180, the Working Families Flexibility Act of 2017. This misguided 
legislation would undermine nearly 80 years of federal employment law 
guaranteeing overtime pay to employees who work more than 40 hours in a 
week at a given job.
  Income inequality in America has increased dramatically over the last 
four decades while the middle class continues to shrink. The average 
income for the top 0.01 percent of households grew 322 percent between 
1980 and 2015, compared to a 0.03 percent increase for the remaining 90 
percent of households over the same period of time. Rising household 
expenses like childcare, healthcare, housing, and education have made 
it even more difficult for families to climb the rungs of the economic 
ladder, while approximately 47 million Americans continue to live below 
the federal poverty line, including over 15 million children.
  Congress should focus on policies and legislation that help middle- 
and low-income households achieve economic mobility. Instead, H.R. 1180 
would short-change hourly workers by allowing private sector employers 
to offer compensatory time off in place of overtime pay. By weakening 
existing requirements for overtime pay, employers can choose to offer 
overtime hours to employees who agree to receive compensatory time, 
while nothing in the bill guarantees that employees will be able to use 
their compensatory time when they wish to. Although employers are 
required to pay employees for any unused compensatory time, they have 
up to thirteen months to do so, and there are no protections for 
workers if the employer declares bankruptcy or permanently closes its 
doors.
  At a time when the American Dream has become more difficult to 
attain, it is more critical than ever for Congress to take action that 
will make it easier for working parents to meet their responsibilities 
both at home and at work. These policies include increasing the federal 
minimum wage; providing households with paid sick and family leave; and 
ensuring workers are guaranteed stable and predictable work schedules.
  I urge my colleagues to vote `No' on H.R. 1180, the Working Families 
Flexibility Act of 2017.

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