Issa Calls for Expansion of Family and Medical Leave Act Provisions for Family of Wounded Service Members

Washington, DC - Rep. Darrell Issa, today, in testimony before the Workforce Protections Subcommittee of the House Committee on Education of the Workforce called on Congress to expand the amount of unpaid leave family members may take to care for a wounded serviceman.

"The power of a strong support network and dedicated families is no more evident than in my Congressional District, which includes Camp Pendleton Marine Corp Base," said Rep. Issa in testimony before the subcommittee. "Here I have seen the Wounded Warrior Clinic and the Naval Hospital, where I have talked with service members, their families, and health professionals who care for them."

Earlier this year, Rep. Issa introduced bipartisan legislation, H.R. 3391, that would expand the amount of leave family members of wounded servicemen may take under the Family and Medical Leave Act from 12 to 26 weeks annually. The President's Commission on Care for America's Returning Wounded Warriors made this recommendation. Bills introduced by both Rep. Issa and Senator Hillary Clinton, who also testified today, seek to implement this recommended change.

"I realize challenges exist in the expansion of this Act for military family leave," said Issa. "As a former business owner myself, I understand the difficulties of balancing employment demands. It is my sincere hope that we can find an appropriate balance in this discussion, so that employers will not just comply with an expansion of leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act, but will also embrace it."

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