Senate trims federal paid-leave bill, dropping domestic-violence provisions
The Senate version of a bill that would give federal workers up to 12 weeks of paid family leave each year has been revised to remove language allowing leave for relatives who are victims of sexual assault, domestic violence or stalking.
A Senate-drafted bill aimed at extending up to 12 weeks of paid family leave per year to federal employees has been altered to exclude provisions that would allow leave for a family member who has survived sexual assault, domestic violence or stalking. The measure follows a House-introduced Comprehensive Paid Leave for Federal Employees Act, which originally covered those circumstances alongside health issues and military deployments.
Senators Brian Schatz and seven other Democrats presented the Senate version shortly before the August recess, emphasizing the need for flexible time off for health and deployment matters. Critics note the removal of victim-support language, but unions such as the American Federation of Government Employees and the National Treasury Employees Union still back the pared-down bill, citing benefits for employee retention and morale. The legislation moves forward despite the change, highlighting ongoing negotiations between the two chambers over federal workforce policies.
Why it matters
It determines whether federal workers can use paid leave to support family members affected by violence.
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