Press Releases

U.S. Representative Don Beyer released the following statement on the anniversary of the passage of the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA):

“Twenty-two years ago President Bill Clinton passed an historic bill providing working American families the security and opportunity they needed to take care of themselves," said Rep. Beyer. "He believed that Americans should not face economic ruin because of the birth of a child or an unforeseen illness. As a small business owner, I know we need to invest in our employees and acknowledge that these major family events or situations require time off from work. Thanks to FMLA, over 75 percent of the American workforce is no longer at risk of losing their job because of a significant medical event.”

FMLA, passed February 5, 1993, requires employers to provide unpaid leave for personal or family illness, family military leave, pregnancy, adoption, or the foster care placement of a child. Employees can take up to 12 weeks of leave during a 12-month period, provided they qualify.

Beyer added, “The FMLA was an enormous milestone, but we must do more. Over 40 percent of Americans work for organizations not covered by FMLA, and the United States is one of just two nations in the world that does not offer paid family leave. I support President Obama's plan to make paid family and medical leave programs an economic priority."

Click here for more information about FMLA, and here for information about President Obama's proposed plan to strengthen working families across America.