Washington, DC - A leading advocate on behalf of working families, Congresswoman Lynn Woolsey (D-CA) today joined a majority in the House of Representatives in voting to provide four weeks of paid parental leave for federal employees.  The proposal, which Woolsey co-sponsored, passed the House today by a vote of 278-146.

“Investing in our working families is the best way we can strengthen our workforce, our economy, and our country,” said Woolsey.  “As the Chairwoman of the House Subcommittee on Workforce Protections, I understand that even the most generous leave policies don’t help families who cannot afford to take leave from their jobs without pay.”

Currently, under the 1993 Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), federal employees are eligible for up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave for the birth or adoption of a child.  However, many parents are financially unable to take advantage of the leave, and are forced to choose between maintaining their income and spending time with their new child.  In a recent study by Harvard University examining paid leave policies in 165 countries, the US was one of only two countries in which expectant or new mothers were not eligible for paid parental leave.

Woolsey has been a strong advocate on behalf of paid leave throughout her time in Congress, and has introduced legislation to provide paid FMLA leave for all workers.  One of Woolsey’s signature domestic proposals is called the Balancing Act, a comprehensive package of legislative efforts designed to improve the lives of working families by making it easier for parents to balance their work and family responsibilities.  Woolsey, who chairs the Subcommittee on Workforce Protections, has also held a series of hearings on the impact of paid leave.

“As a nation, we must support working families by providing the help they need to balance work and family. No parent should be forced to choose between the needs of their family and their job,” Woolsey said.  “That’s why I look forward to the day that my legislation, the Balancing Act, will be passed to provide what working families need to balance work and family – paid family leave, increased child care, voluntary universal pre-school, school breakfast, after school programs, and incentives for flexible work schedules.”