Federal Judge Blocks Biden Overtime Rule

A Texas federal court has struck down a new Department of Labor rule that aimed to raise the salary threshold for overtime pay, affecting approximately four million workers. The rule would have increased the minimum salary for overtime eligibility to $43,888 in July 2024 and $58,656 in January 2025, along with automatic increases every three years. Judge Sean D. Jordan ruled that the DOL exceeded its authority, prioritizing salary levels over job duties, which violates the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). This ruling has generated limited media coverage, despite its significant impact on workers, echoing themes found in Oliver Anthony's viral song about the struggles of working-class Americans. As a result, the previous threshold of $35,568, set during the Trump administration, remains in effect. The Department of Labor's next steps, including a potential appeal, are currently uncertain.