Congressman Cleaver Applauds Administration’s Proposed Rule to Extend Overtime Pay to 110,000 Additional Hardworking Missourians

KANSAS CITY, MO – Today, Congressman Cleaver applauded the President's announcement that the Department of Labor will propose extending overtime pay protections to nearly 5 million salaried American workers, including 110,000 in Missouri. This proposal would increase the current overtime protection threshold, guaranteeing overtime pay to most salaried workers earning less than an estimated $50,440 per year.

"For far too long, Americans have worked harder, but their wages have stayed the same," said Congressman Cleaver.  "The proposed rule announced yesterday will affirm the fundamental American principle that a long day's work deserves a fair day's pay."

The salary threshold for overtime pay for American workers has been changed only twice in the last 40 years and now covers far fewer workers due to inflation. Currently, only workers making less than $23,660 per year – a wage below the poverty threshold for a family of four – are guaranteed overtime pay. This proposal updates the overtime rules to ensure that millions more Americans who work over 40 hours per week will receive overtime pay.

"Increasing the wages of hard-working families in Missouri is essential to the health of our economy and the strength of our democracy," said Congressman Cleaver. "I firmly believe that there is no job an individual would not take if it would allow them to provide for their family and themselves. Something must be done to ensure that all hardworking Americans are able to provide for their families, and this is a very positive step in the right direction. We must focus on creating more good-paying jobs, growing America's middle class, and strengthening hard-working families."

Beginning on Monday, when the proposed rule appears in the Federal Register, the American public will  have 60 days to submit comments on this rule – a rule that would benefit so many American families.

Emanuel Cleaver, II is the U.S. Representative for Missouri's Fifth Congressional District, which includes Kansas City, Independence, Lee's Summit, Raytown, Grandview, Sugar Creek, Blue Springs, Grain Valley, Oak Grove, North Kansas City, Gladstone, Claycomo, and all of Ray, Lafayette, and Saline Counties. He is a member of the exclusive House Financial Services Committee, the Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Housing and Insurance, and also a Senior Whip of the Democratic Caucus. A high-resolution photo of Congressman Cleaver is available here.