Yesterday, House Republican leaders stopped consideration of the Labor, Health and Human Services and Education appropriations bill to allow more time to try to win over the 12 or so Republicans that they need to beat back a Democratic amendment that would stop the new administration overtime eligibility rules.

The amendment could win as many as 20 moderate, pro-labor Republicans, mostly from Northwestern and Midwestern states who represent labor constituents.

Despite the battle over the overtime rules, the bill is expected to pass the bill today. The bill as written by the House Appropriations Committee contains $142.5 billion in discretionary funding - $3.1 billion more than the amount provided for the fiscal 2004 and $202 million more than President Bush requested. The Senate hasn't taken action yet.