PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.Received in the Senate and read twice and referred to the Committee on Labor and Human Resources.
Congressional Research Service
Version 17 · Reported to House with amendment(s) · Mar 12, 1997
Working Families Flexibility Act of 1997 - Amends the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 to provide for compensatory time for all employees. Allows an employee to receive, in lieu of monetary overtime compensation, compensatory time off at a rate not less than one and one-half hours for each hour of employment for which overtime compensation is required under the Act. Allows an employer to provide such compensatory time only: (1) pursuant to a collective bargaining agreement with employee representatives, or, where there is no certified or recognized labor organization, pursuant to an agreement with the employee if such agreement was entered into knowingly and voluntarily; and (2) if a private employee has affirmed, in a verifiable statement, the choice of receiving compensatory time in lieu of overtime pay. Sets forth special rules relating to public employees. Prohibits employer coercion of employees for the purpose of: (1) interfering with their right to choose whether to request compensatory time off in lieu of overtime pay; or (2) requiring them to use compensatory time. Limits to not more than 240 hours the amount of compensatory time an employee may accrue. Requires payment of compensation at the prescribed regular rate for: (1) compensatory time accrued but not used in a calendar year or other designated 12-month period; and (2) unused compensatory time upon termination of employment. Allows an employer to provide monetary compensation at any time after giving the employee at least 30 days notice, at the prescribed regular rate, for an employee's unused compensatory time in excess of 80 hours. Allows an employee to request in writing that monetary compensation be provided at the prescribed regular rate, at any time, for all compensatory time accrued and not yet used. Requires employers to permit employees to use compensatory time within a reasonable period after employees request its use, if such use does not unduly disrupt employers' operations. Makes private employers who violate specified provisions of this Act liable to the employee affected in the amount of the rate of compensation for each hour of compensatory time accrued by the employee, and in an additional equal amount as liquidated damages reduced by the amount of such rate of compensation for each hour of compensatory time used by such employee.
People & committees
Rep. Ballenger, Cass [R-NC-10] · R–NC
Legislative record
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Received in the Senate and read twice and referred to the Committee on Labor and Human Resources.
On passage Passed by recorded vote: 222 - 210 (Roll no. 59).
House roll call 59 · Individual votesMotion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by recorded vote: 222 - 210 (Roll no. 59).
House roll call 59 · Individual votesThe House adopted the amendment in the nature of a substitute as agreed to by the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union.
The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
The House rose from the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union to report H.R. 1.
DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 99, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with one hour of debate.
DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 99, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 20 minutes of debate.
DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 99, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate.
DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 99, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 20 minutes of debate.
GENERAL DEBATE - The Committee of the Whole resumed general debate.
The House resolved into Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union for further consideration.
Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H1156)
Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union rises leaving H.R. 1 as unfinished business.
GENERAL DEBATE - The Committee of the Whole proceeded with one hour of general debate.
The Speaker designated the Honorable Larry Combest to act as Chairman of the Committee.
House resolved itself into the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union pursuant to H. Res. 99 and Rule XXIII.
Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 1 with 1 hour of general debate. Previous question shall be considered as ordered without intervening motions except motion to recommit. Measure will be read by section. It shall be in order to consider as an original bill for the purpose of amendment the amendment in the nature of a substitute recommended by the Committee on Education and the Workforce now printed in the bill. No shall be in order except those printed in the report accompanying this resolution, which shall be considered in the order and manner specified. An amendment designated to be offered by the Chairman of the Committee on Education may be offered en bloc with one or more such amendments
Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 99. (consideration: CR H1124-1156)
Rule H. Res. 99 passed House.
Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 99 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 1 with 1 hour of general debate. Previous question shall be considered as ordered without intervening motions except motion to recommit. Measure will be read by section. It shall be in order to consider as an original bill for the purpose of amendment the amendment in the nature of a substitute recommended by the Committee on Education and the Workforce now printed in the bill. No shall be in order except those printed in the report accompanying this resolution, which shall be considered in the order and manner specified. An amendment designated to be offered by the Chairman of the Committee on Education may be offered en bloc with one or more such amendments
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 14.
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Education and the Workforce. H. Rept. 105-21.
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Education and the Workforce. H. Rept. 105-21.
Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 23 - 17.
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Subcommittee on Workforce Protections Discharged.
Subcommittee Hearings Held.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Workforce Protections.
Referred to the House Committee on Education and the Workforce.
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E42-43)
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Primary sources
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Source last updated: Mar 23, 2026. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.
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Analyze H.R.1 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.
Examine H.R.1 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.
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