Rep. Johnson applauds Administration’s proposed rule to extend overtime pay to 160,000 additional hardworking Georgians

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Rep. Hank Johnson (GA-04) applauded the President’s announcement that the Department of Labor will propose extending overtime pay protections to nearly 5 million salaried American workers, including 160,000 in Georgia. 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 remained flat.” said Rep. Johnson. “The proposed rule announced today 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 Georgia is essential to the health of our economy and the strength of our democracy,” said Rep. Johnson. “Congress must focus on creating more good-paying jobs, growing Americans’ paychecks, and strengthening hard-working families.”

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