Press Releases

U.S. Representative Don Beyer, Northern Virginia Democrat and member of the House Natural Resources Committee, applauded President Barack Obama’s plan to increase access to paid sick and family leave for federal employees.

“This morning President Obama announced his plan to sign a Presidential Memorandum requiring federal agencies to advance workers up to six weeks of paid sick leave following the birth or adoption of a child, and I fully support him,” said Rep. Beyer. “Our federal employees are dedicated, hard-working individuals who have chosen to dedicate their lives to service. It is our responsibility to provide them with the full benefits they deserve. I thank the President, and I look forward to approving a bill that calls for federal workers to have six weeks of paid family leave.”

The President has also urged Congress to adopt legislation that would allow all working Americans the chance to earn up to seven days of paid sick time each year, and to pass a bill to create a $2 billion fund to encourage states and cities to create and sustain paid family and sick leave programs.

Beyer added, “The United States remains the only industrialized country in the world that does not offer paid family leave. It's time for Congress to answer the President's call, adopt legislation that would give working families the support they need, and encourage states and cities to adopt similar legislation.”

Click here to read more about the President’s plan to increase access to paid family leave.