Committee on Education and Labor : U.S. House of Representatives

Press Releases

House Passes Extended Family and Medical Leave for Military Families

Tuesday, September 26, 2007

 

WASHINGTON, DC -- The U.S. House of Representatives yesterday approved a measure to expand the Family and Medical Leave Act to help military families care for a loved one wounded during wartime.

“Members of military families should never have to risk losing their jobs in order to meet the needs of their loved ones, and with this bill, we are one step closer to fulfilling our promise to them,” said Rep. Lynn Woolsey (D-CA), chairwoman of the Workforce Protections Subcommittee. Woolsey and other members of Congress introduced the legislation, the Support for Injured Servicemembers Act (H.R. 3481), earlier this month. It was included in legislation improving children’s health care that passed the House yesterday.

Woolsey’s legislation expands the Family and Medical Leave Act to allow family members of wounded veterans to take up to six months of unpaid leave from their jobs. The President’s Commission on Care for America’s Returning Wounded Warriors found that the average length of rehabilitation for a wounded service member is 45 days, though rehabilitations often take longer.

“These wounded soldiers have sacrificed greatly, and we should do everything we can to help them,” said Rep. George Miller (D-CA), chairman of the House Education and Labor Committee. “A dedicated family member is often critical to their recovery and rehabilitation. Family members of wounded soldiers should never have to choose between a job and caring for their loved ones.”

Sarah Wade, wife of injured Iraq veteran Ted Wade, testified before Woolsey’s subcommittee last week on the struggle that she and her in-laws faced to balance work and the medical needs of their loved one.

“Due to the nature of his injuries, someone had to be with Ted every step of the way to oversee his medical care,” said Wade. “Needless to say, the long term financial challenges faced by the care providers of our severely injured service members are daunting.”

For more on the hearing, please click here.

###

 


 

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Tom Kiley / Rachel Racusen
2181 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
202-226-0853