U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran (R-KS) on May 22 cosponsored a bipartisan bill to guarantee paid maternity leave for the roughly 150,000 women serving in U.S. National Guard and other reservist positions.
“This bipartisan, sensible legislation would support new mothers in our National Guard and Reserve by making certain that they receive the same paid maternity leave benefits as their active duty counterparts,” Sen. Moran said on Wednesday.
Sen. Moran introduced the Mothers of Military Service (MOMS) Leave Act, S. 1615, with bill sponsor U.S. Sen. Tom Udall (D-NM) to provide compensation and credit for retired pay purposes for maternity leave taken by members of the Reserve components of the U.S. Armed Forces, according to the congressional record.
If enacted, S. 1615 would ensure that Reserve women receive pay and points for 12 pay periods, which is equal to six drill weekends, toward retirement after pregnancy and childbirth, according to information provided by Sen. Moran’s office.
“Women who serve our country should not be inadvertently penalized for having a child, nor should they be expected to return to drill duties in the weeks following childbirth,” the lawmaker said. “This proposal is an important step forward in ensuring that women can both serve our nation and build their families without having to sacrifice their pay or credits.”
Among the seven senators joining Sen. Moran as original cosponsors of S. 1615 are U.S. Sens. Mike Rounds (R-SD) and Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV).
The measure has been referred for consideration to the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee.