Congressman Tim Ryan Praises Passage of Paid Family Leave Report Language

Statement

Congressman Tim Ryan (OH-13) praised the passage of the paid family leave report language as part of the FY2020 Legislative Branch appropriations bill that passed through full committee on Thursday. The language directs the Office of the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) to report on the feasibility and costs of establishing and maintaining a paid family and medical leave policy and program in the U.S. House of Representatives.

"I'm proud to use my position as Chairman of the Legislative Branch Subcommittee to push for a comprehensive paid family leave policy for House employees and congressional staffers. This policy is long overdue, and a feasibility report from CAO is an important first step toward making it a reality," said Congressman Ryan. "Access to paid family leave is not just an issue in the House of Representatives, it's an issue American families struggle with every day. The United States is the only industrialized country that does not guarantee paid family leave. That's shameful. We have the opportunity to set an example for workplaces across the nation by taking steps to institute a paid family leave policy for federal employees on Capitol Hill. This is not the end of our work on this issue; it's just the beginning."

"I guarantee each of my full-time employees three months paid leave for birth, adoption or family loss. Providing this right to work-family balance should be the minimum standard across our government and for every American." said Rep. Ro Khanna (CA-17). "No employee should be forced to choose between the pursuit of a family and the pursuit of a career. I'm proud to join Representatives Ryan and Haaland in leading by example for federal employees here on Capitol Hill."

"Workers, no matter where they work, deserve fair paid leave policies. The policies in Congress are outdated and it's time we take steps to be the change we seek, especially when it comes to family-friendly work policies. I'll keep fighting at every level until every worker has guaranteed paid family leave in this country," said Congresswoman Deb Haaland (NM-01).

Report language: Congressional Staff Family and Medical Leave Policies: The Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 provides for 12 weeks of unpaid job-protected leave during a 12-month period. There is interest among Members of Congress to investigate the feasibility of implementing a standard House-wide paid family leave policy. The Committee directs the CAO to report within 180 days of enactment of this legislation, or by January 15, 2020, whichever is sooner, on the feasibility and costs of establishing and maintaining a House-wide, paid family and medical leave policy and program. Options evaluated should include up to 12 weeks of paid leave for eligible Congressional employees with one year of tenure for the birth and care of a newborn child of an employee; for placement with the employee of a child for adoption or foster care; to care for an immediate family member with a serious health condition; or to take medical leave when the employee is unable to work because of a serious health condition.

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