The Nation : Overtime Bill Advances

The House Education and Labor Committee approved a bill to nullify a Supreme Court decision requiring state and local governments to pay overtime to employees working more than 40 hours a week. By unanimous vote, the panel approved the measure to amend the federal Fair Labor Standards Act and sent it to the full House. A nearly identical bill is awaiting action in the Senate Labor and Human Resources Committee, where quick passage is expected. The Supreme Court ruled last Feb. 19 that all provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act apply to government workers.