The Honorable Carolyn Maloney, Chairwoman
House Committee on Oversight and Reform
2125 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
The Honorable James Comer, Ranking Minority Member
House Oversight and Reform Committee
2105 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
Chairwoman Maloney and Ranking Minority Member Comer:
On behalf of the AFL-CIO, I urge you to vote in favor of HR 564, the Comprehensive Paid Leave for Federal Employees Act. HR 564 would provide federal and postal workers 12 weeks of paid leave to care for their own medical needs or those of a family member, and to address circumstances arising from the deployment of a close family member on military active duty.
As the largest employer in the nation, the federal government should be the model for all U.S. employers. Last year Congress took a significant step forward by providing federal civil servants 12 weeks of paid leave for the addition of a new child to a family. HR 564 expands on paid parental leave by recognizing the crucial times when a worker must care for themselves or a loved one without fear of the loss of income or a job. Paid leave attracts new employees and will increase retention among current federal workers. HR 564 ensures that all federal workers, regardless of classification, have real access to paid leave benefits when needed. Paid leave proposals cannot be universal if the federal workforce is not included.
Federal and postal employee paid family and medical leave is a benefit and not a burden to the federal government or the economy. I urge you to favorably report out HR 564, the Comprehensive Paid Leave for Federal Employees Act.
Sincerely,
William Samuel
Director, Government Affairs