[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 53 (Wednesday, April 27, 2005)]
[Senate]
[Page S4428]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. KENNEDY (for himself, Mr. Durbin, Ms. Mikulski, Mrs. 
        Murray, Mr. Harkin, Mr. Dodd, Mr. Lautenberg, Mr. Corzine, Mr. 
        Akaka, Mrs. Boxer, Mr. Feingold, Mr. Schumer, and Mr. Dayton):
  S. 932. A bill to provide for paid sick leave to ensure that 
Americans can address their own health needs and the health needs of 
their families; to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and 
Pensions.
  Mr. KENNEDY. Mr. President, the ability of American families to live 
the American dream is becoming harder and harder. With each passing 
month, it's more difficult for families to earn a living--to pay the 
mortgage and the doctor bills, and send their sons and daughters to 
college.
  In the Bush economy, families are worried about their job security, 
their income, and the cost of living. They're working longer and harder 
and finding it more and more difficult to balance their work and their 
family responsibilities.
  Most Americans assume that paid sick days are a right. They're not. 
Half of all American workers are not guaranteed the right to time off 
when they're ill, without losing their pay, or even their job.
  In 1993, Congress and the administration guaranteed unpaid leave for 
millions of working men and women to deal with serious medical 
problems.
  It's time to build on this success, and ensure that millions of 
workers can also take time off when they need an annual check-up, when 
their children are sick with a cold, and when their ailing elderly 
parents need to be taken to the doctor.
  Hard-working men and women deserve better. That's why Congresswoman 
DeLauro and I are introducing legislation to guarantee workers 7 days 
of paid sick leave a year to care for their own medical needs and those 
of their family members. This proposal covers workers at all 
businesses, except small businesses with fewer than 15 employees.
  This is a family issue. When my son was diagnosed with cancer in his 
leg as a child, and had to undergo surgery, I was able to take the time 
I needed to be there for him. But year after year, countless employees 
have to choose between the job they need and the family they love. 
Families deserve the flexibility to care for each other when they get 
sick.
  It's an economic issue. Paid sick days actually save businesses money 
through reduced turnover and increased productivity. A recent study by 
Cornell University examined the problem of employees coming to work 
despite medical problems. They found it costs business $180 billion 
annually in lost productivity.
  It's also a public health issue. Too often, employees come to work 
sick and co-workers and many others can easily be infected. Recently, a 
court ruled that because of the lack of paid sick leave, a stomach 
virus in one worker infected 600 guests and 300 employees at the Reno 
Hilton Hotel in Nevada.
  Paid sick days will help prevent the spread of illnesses like that. 
Taking time off to treat illnesses and injuries will save health costs 
in the long run. It will make an important difference for insurers, for 
hospitals, and for the health of millions of Americans.
  It's long past time to provide paid sick days for workers. This bill 
is a first step to guarantee that every worker who needs sick leave has 
it and can afford to take it.

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