WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congresswoman Lois Capps issued the following statement praising the House passage of H.R. 5781, Federal Employees Paid Parental Leave Act, which provides four weeks of paid parental leave for federal employees for the birth or adoption of a child.  The House passed the measure by a vote of 278 to 146:

“Madame Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 5781, the Federal Employees Paid Parental Leave Act.

“It is long overdue for our nation’s largest employer, the Federal Government, to provide its employees with a more family-friendly workplace.

“It is hard to believe the United States is the only industrialized nation that does not provide its employees with paid family leave, especially considering 75 percent of Fortune 100 Companies already provide an average of six to eight weeks of paid parental leave.

“H.R. 5781 would provide Federal employees with four weeks of paid leave following the birth or adoption of a child.  Currently, new parents have to use vacation time, if they have it, or accept unpaid leave to care for a new child.  This puts incredible economic strain on Federal employees and their families.  Considering the current economic downturn, forgoing several weeks’ pay at the same time one’s household expenses increase for newborn care leaves many families in a desperate financial situation. 

“Yet, President Bush has again ignored the needs of the American people, and threatened to veto this important bill based on a bogus claim of fiscal responsibility.  During these times of economic troubles, the President’s charade of fiscal conservatism is hurting our economy, hurting our workforce, and hurting American families.

“All of us here in Congress appreciate the value and importance of public service.  Federal workers have chosen a career in public service, and they should be rewarded with fair benefits.

“It is time to finally give Federal employees the benefits they deserve.  I urge my colleagues to join me in voting yes on H.R. 5781.”

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Pictured above: (center) Congresswoman Capps meets with Central Coast firefighters to discuss emergency preparedness.