[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 17 (Tuesday, February 5, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E99]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       INTRODUCTION OF FEDERAL EMPLOYEES PAID PARENTAL LEAVE ACT

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                        HON. CAROLYN B. MALONEY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 5, 2013

  Mrs. CAROLYN B. MALONEY of New York. Mr. Speaker, on February 5, 2013 
we celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Family and Medical Leave Act. 
Millions of American families have benefitted from this landmark law 
that allows workers to take up to 12 weeks of unpaid, job protected 
leave to care for a new child, a sick family member, or an injured 
service member in their family.
  As we mark this anniversary we also must acknowledge that two decades 
later our nation's family leave policies have not kept pace with 
changes to America's families and workforce. FMLA provides unpaid 
leave, which means families must choose between foregoing a paycheck 
and caring for a new child or sick loved one.
  The Federal government is our nation's largest employer and as such 
should be leading the way on family-friendly workplace policy. Today, I 
am introducing the Federal Employees Paid Parental Leave Act, 
legislation that provides federal employees with 4 weeks of paid leave 
following the birth, adoption, or fostering of a child. By extending 
paid parental leave for new parents this bill helps diminish the risk 
of real economic hardship for the 2 million federal employees following 
the birth or adoption of a child.
  In 2009, the House successfully passed the bill with the bipartisan 
support of 258 Members. I urge my colleagues in the 113th Congress to 
focus on job creation efforts while also ensuring that federal leave 
policy reflects the realities of our nation's workforce in the 21st 
Century. Thank you to my colleagues Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton, and 
Representatives Gerald Connolly, George Miller, John Conyers Jr, and 
Raul Grijalva for their support of the Federal Employees Paid Parental 
Leave Act.

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