Van Hollen Statement On Passage Of The Federal Employees Paid Parental Leave Act

Press Release

Today, Congressman Chris Van Hollen, Assistant to the Speaker, issued the following statement on House passage of the Federal Employees Paid Parental Leave Act:

"The Federal Employees Paid Parental Leave Act supports both our economy and our family values. It provides four weeks of pay to federal employees to use while they are on family or medical leave. Having this option is of special importance to our younger employees and employees seeking to start a family.

"As the federal workforce ages, the government will have to hire many new workers. By 2010, more than 50 percent of managers, and almost 50 percent of other federal workers will be eligible for retirement. The federal government will have to compete with the private sector to attract the best and brightest to federal service to replace them. But the federal government lacks an important benefit enjoyed by 75 percent of Fortune 100 companies — paid leave for parents of newborns.

"This issue is vital to working families who are struggling to make ends meet. New parents shouldn't have to choose between their paycheck and spending time with their child, and the Federal Government should be a leader in family-friendly workplace policies. I'm proud to have joined my colleagues in passing the Federal Employees Paid Parental Leave Act."

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