Labor resists Republican attacks on overtime rule

The Obama administration is resisting Republican attempts to block a controversial new overtime rule.

The Department of Labor said Monday it will move forward on schedule with new regulations intended to expand the number of workers who qualify for overtime pay.

Congressional Republicans have been pressuring the Labor Department to delay the overtime rule.

“This proposed overtime rule goes to the heart of what it means to be middle class in America,” Labor Secretary Thomas Perez said when the rule was announced in June.

Under the proposed overtime rule, employees making less than $50,440 a year would be eligible for time-and-a-half pay if they work more than 40 hours in a week.

Currently, employees making $23,660 a year or more do not qualify for overtime pay.

The changes are expected to expand the overtime protections to nearly 5 million more workers.