WASHINGTON DC – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley released the following statement after President Obama announced a rule change that would make millions more Americans eligible for overtime pay. It would extend overtime protections to all salaried workers making up to about $50,400 a year from $23,660.
“This significant change will lift up the middle class, raising the wages for 5 million Americans in 2016. It will ensure that our workers receive a fair pay for a long day’s work, and that business owners who are already paying their employees what they deserve compete on a level playing field.
“Our country does best when everyone has a fair shot – when opportunity is expanded and our middle class is strong. This rule change is a great step forward in helping both individual families and our broader economy succeed.”
In January, Senator Merkley sent a letter to the president calling for an increase in overtime pay to restore the monetary value of the income threshold to 1975 levels, which would have made approximately 47 percent of salaried workers eligible for overtime pay.
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