[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 21 (Tuesday, February 3, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E187]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      INTRODUCTION OF THE FAMILY AND MEDICAL LEAVE ENHANCEMENT ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. CAROLYN B. MALONEY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 3, 2009

  Mrs. MALONEY. Madam Speaker, Nearly 16 years ago, President Clinton 
signed into law the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA, PL 103-3), 
legislation that allows employees to take time off from work to care 
for a new baby or sick family member. Because of this landmark 
legislation, tens of millions of Americans have been able to take up to 
12 weeks of unpaid leave without the risk of losing their jobs.
  Building on the successes of the FMLA, today I will introduce 
legislation that would allow more workers to take leave to care for 
their family members and allow parents to take leave for parent-teacher 
conferences and family members' doctor's appointments.
  The Family and Medical Leave Enhancement Act would broaden 
protections under the FMLA to allow employees in companies with more 
than 25 employees to take family or medical leave. Current law applies 
only to companies with 50 or more employees. The legislation would also 
provide up to 24 hours per year of unpaid Parental Involvement and 
Family Wellness leave, which will allow parents and grandparents to 
attend parent-teacher conferences or to take their children, 
grandchildren or other family members to the doctor for regular medical 
or dental appointments. In these trying economic times, it is more 
important than ever that family members be able to take time off of 
work to care for each other, without the risk of losing their jobs.
  Then-presidential candidate Obama endorsed this concept in a June, 
2008 speech in Albuquerque, NM, saying, ``With more and more households 
headed by two working parents--or a single working parent--it's also 
time to dramatically expand the Family and Medical Leave Act. Since 
more Americans are working for small businesses, I'll expand FMLA to 
cover businesses with as few as 25 employees--this will reach millions 
of American workers who aren't covered today. . . . We'll allow parents 
to take 24 hours of annual leave to join school activities with their 
kids.''
  On behalf of America's families, I urge my fellow colleagues to join 
me in support of the Family and Medical Leave Enhancement Act.

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