Bipartisan legislation recently cosponsored by U.S. Rep. Juan Ciscomani (R-AZ) would ensure that U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) employees receive an additional four weeks of unpaid leave for their newborn children.
“As a father, I know how precious those early days with a newborn are, especially for families balancing demanding careers,” Rep. Ciscomani said. “Parents should have the ability to spend that time with their children.”
The congressman on March 24 signed on as the lead original cosponsor of the Supporting VA Families Act, H.R. 8041, which is sponsored by U.S. Rep. Janelle Bynum (D-OR).
If enacted, the bill would establish an entitlement to a supplemental period of unpaid parental leave for VA employees, according to the text of H.R. 8041, which says that any VA employee would be entitled to four administrative weeks of leave without pay during any 12-month period due to the birth of a son or daughter of the employee, or the placement of a son or daughter with the employee for adoption or foster care.
“I’m proud to co-lead the bipartisan Supporting VA Families Act to ensure that those who care for our veterans can be present for their families, just as they are for our nation every day,” said Rep. Ciscomani.
Rep. Bynum noted that VA workers deserve access to family leave to ensure the department can retain staff and keep providing high-quality care to the nation’s military veterans.
The measure has been referred for consideration to the U.S. House Veterans’ Affairs Committee.