Rep. Takano Congratulates DOL Sec. Nominee Lori Chavez-DeRemer and Calls for Overtime Protections
Takano Is a Congressional Leader on Overtime Fairness
RIVERSIDE, CA – Rep. Mark Takano (CA-39), who has led a number of Congressional efforts to make sure workers are paid their fair share for the overtime they work, released the following statement congratulating Congresswoman Lori Chavez-DeRemer on her nomination to Secretary of the Department of Labor (DOL) and called for overtime protections for working Americans:
“I offer my warm congratulations to Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer on her nomination to lead the Department of Labor. I served with her on the House Committee on Education and the Workforce and her support of the Protecting the Right to Organize Act is indicative of her willingness to stand with working men and women.
“President-elect Trump claimed on the campaign trail that he would stand up for workers’ overtime protections. Now it is up to Rep. Chavez-DeRemer’s leadership of the Department of Labor to implement that vision — starting with protecting the current Administration’s overtime rule.
“Earlier this year, Acting Labor Secretary Julie Su and the Biden Administration announced a rule that increases the overtime threshold to the 35th percentile of the lowest-earning Census region. Anti-labor forces convinced a federal district court judge to block the rule, but I encourage Acting Secretary Su to appeal the decision and for future Secretary Chavez-DeRemer to continue the appeal when she assumes office. I urge the future Secretary to do what is necessary to match or improve the Acting Secretary Su’s rule on overtime.”
Background on Rep. Takano’s Fight for Overtime Fairness:
- Author of the Restoring Overtime Pay Act, which strengthens overtime protections by increasing the overtime threshold to the 55th percentile of earnings of full-timed salaried workers nationally. The salary threshold could increase to roughly $82,700 by 2027. The bill further requires annual automatic updates to ensure the level remains in line with the changes in our economy.
- Co-led letters in 2021 and 2023 urging the Department of Labor to increase the overtime threshold to the 55th percentile of earnings of full-time salaried workers via the DOL’s rulemaking process.
- Former teacher and Senior Member of the House Committee on Education and the Workforce.
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