[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 22 (Wednesday, February 5, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E174]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        INTRODUCTION OF FAMILY AND MEDICAL LEAVE ENHANCEMENT ACT

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                        HON. CAROLYN B. MALONEY

                              of new yorjk

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 5, 2014

  Mrs. CAROLYN B. MALONEY of New York. Mr. Speaker, far too often, 
families feel constant competing pressure between home and work life. 
Since being signed into law in 1993 by President Clinton, the Family 
and Medical Leave Act has been used 100 million times by men and women 
across the United States to meet these dual demands. These individuals 
and their families have benefited from up to 12 weeks of job protected 
unpaid work leave to care for new children or to help a loved one or 
the individual recover from a serious health condition.
  Today, 21 years later, federal workplace policies have not kept pace 
with work and family life needs. As a result, many families must 
unfairly prioritize work and family duties. It is time to enhance this 
legislation so that more families can access leave to help loved ones 
who need their assistance. That is why I am introducing the Family and 
Medical Leave Enhancement Act. This legislation will expand the Family 
and Medical Leave Act so that it covers businesses with 25 or more 
employees, from the current threshold of 50 or more employees. It also 
provides up to 24 hours each year of unpaid Parental Involvement and 
Family Wellness. This new addition allows parents and grandparents to 
attend to parent-teacher conferences and to take their children, 
grandchildren, or other family members to the doctor for regular 
medical or dental appointments.
  We as a country must show we truly value families by investing in our 
workforce and implementing new policies that support working parents 
and grandparents. I urge my colleagues to support this important 
legislation.

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