The Senate recently voted to block changes that would strip millions of workers of eligibility for overtime pay, despite the threat of a presidential veto. The Bush administration, on March 31, proposed changes to federal overtime standards that would make it easier for employers to deny overtime compensation to certain workers while guaranteeing time-and-a-half pay for those earning less than $22,100. The Senate approved an amendment to the Department of Labor’s appropriations bill, offered by Sen. Tom Harkin (D-IA), by a vote of 54 to 45, that would block only those changes limiting overtime eligibility -- retaining the provision guaranteeing time-and-a-half pay for low-income workers. “The Harkin amendment is the right measure for America’s workers because it stops the Bush administration from taking away workers’ right to overtime pay, but would not prevent the Department of Labor from raising the threshold for low-income workers to receive overtime pay,” said John Sweeney, president of the AFL-CIO. Labor Secretary Elaine Chao, however, vowed to move forward with the changes, stating,“The Department of Labor will continue our efforts to strengthen overtime protections for workers.” The appropriations must get through the House, possibly as part of a House-Senate conference. It would then be considered by the President at which time be can veto the spending bill. Meanwhile, the administration is also promoting a proposal that would, among other things, allow the secretary of defense to eliminate civilian employees’ collective bargaining rights, as well as the ability to appeal management decisions to suspend, demote, discipline or fire, according to the Washington Post.