March 3, 2020 - Issue: Vol. 166, No. 42 — Daily Edition116th Congress (2019 - 2020) - 2nd Session

[Page H1447]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           EXTEND PAID FAMILY LEAVE TO MORE FEDERAL EMPLOYEES

  (Mr. BALDERSON asked and was given permission to address the House 
for 1 minute.)
  Mr. BALDERSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak on an issue that 
touches the lives of countless Ohioans because it affects everyone with 
loved ones and family members.
  When a hardworking Federal employee gives birth to a child, has a 
parent is in the hospital, or needs to take leave for any medical or 
family-related reason, they are able to do so through paid family 
leave.
  Sadly, thousands of Federal employees, many of whom live and work in 
Ohio's 12th Congressional District, were left out of the most recent 
reauthorization of paid family leave for Federal employees.
  These TSA agents; FAA workers, including air traffic controllers at 
John Glenn Airport; and VA healthcare providers, such as doctors, 
dentists, and nurses, work hard. They deserve to take time off for 
medical and family reasons without affecting their pay. That is why I 
introduced the VAlue FAAmily Act, which would correct this oversight 
and extend 12 weeks of paid family leave to these forgotten employees.
  FMLA, and the lives of Federal employees, should not be compromised.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to cosponsor H.R. 5993, the VAlue 
FAAmily Act.

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