In an exclusive interview with HRE, Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao talks about the reforms she’s pushing for and the controversy she’s sparked as her second term unfolds.
The January 2004 U.S. Senate hearing was steeped with political theater. Republican Sen. Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania had teamed up with longtime labor darling, Democratic Sen. Tom Harkin of Iowa. The two veteran lawmakers had forged their unlikely alliance to urge U.S. Secretary of Labor
Elaine L. Chao to delay implementation of controversial new overtime regulations. They argued that too little research had been done on the rules’ potential impact.
Chao was brief and to the point as she brushed their concerns aside. “Enough time has been spent on delays and studies of all sorts,” said Chao, who vowed to enact the new regulations on schedule.
