Some good news.

washingtonpost.com: In a Switch, House Rejects Bush Overtime Proposal: "In a sharp rebuff to the Bush administration, the House reversed course yesterday and voted to oppose the White House's efforts to rewrite overtime pay rules. The action marked a significant victory for Democrats and labor leaders, who contended the administration's plans would deny overtime benefits to millions of employees when they work more than 40 hours a week.



While the 221 to 203 vote is not binding, it essentially overturns earlier House approval and puts the chamber on record as supporting the Senate, which opposes the new regulations. House-Senate negotiators trying to resolve legislation to fund the Labor Department and other agencies will have difficulty allowing the proposed overtime changes to go forward, lawmakers said.



Yesterday's vote highlights congressional Republicans' growing unease over the economy, and their increasing willingness to defy the White House on contentious issues. Seven Republicans switched their votes yesterday after supporting the GOP leadership position in a July roll call.



'I just had to represent the concerns of my district,' said Rep. Todd Tiahrt (R-Kan.), who had voted with the majority when the House voted 213 to 210 in July to back the administration. He estimated that 10,000 white-collar workers in his district would have to renegotiate their contracts if the Labor Department proposal went through."