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house Bill H.R. 532

Should Congress Mandate 6 Weeks Of Paid Parental Leave For Federal Employees?

Argument in favor

Parental leave is essential for the health and development of children and their parents. Paid leave not only reduces stress for new parents, but also reduces employee turnover and allows for a more inclusive workforce.

Tim's Opinion
···
05/04/2015
My wife and I are both federal employees, coming up on the birth of our second child. Our first goes to day care, and between doctor's appointments and various illnesses, we have had to take much more time off than expected, and we have therefore been able to save up much less sick and annual leave than expected. This puts us in the delicate position of having to max out our leave to spend time with our new baby, and then having to face those illnesses and doctor's appointments with almost no banked leave. It's bad for us, it's bad for our children, and it's ultimately bad for our places of work. I implore you to support this legislation.
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AutumnStarlight's Opinion
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12/06/2015
Why just Federal employees? Why not all employees? The United States is one of the only industrialized nations on the entire planet that does not mandate or even offer paid parental leave. It's disgraceful.
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Scott's Opinion
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03/10/2015
How are we not doing this for every single american mother and father? This would make a difference in many lives.
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Argument opposed

Not all new parents that work for the federal government need 6 weeks of paid leave. This mandate would be costly and could reduce the productivity of federal organizations and congressional offices.

Jv's Opinion
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02/06/2015
should be in line with private benefits....if the government had more accountability it might be acceptable in some form
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John's Opinion
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02/06/2015
Most people do not get nearly the perks that federal workers have. It's a fairness issue with me.
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Garth's Opinion
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10/16/2016
Just like government to pass a bill to pay themselves more.
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What is House Bill H.R. 532?

Under current law, federal employees are guaranteed a total of up to 12 weeks of unpaid parental leave for the birth of a child and/or care of the newborn. While those 12 weeks without pay are always offered, the amount of paid time off a new parent can take varies widely. 


The current Family and Medical Leave Act allows congressional offices to decide the number of weeks of paid parental leave their employees receive. While many congressional offices give their employees 12 weeks of paid parental leave, others provide as few as 2.


This bill would guarantee that 6 of those 12 weeks of parental leave for all federal employees and congressional staffers would be paid. 

Impact

Federal employees and their babies, families of federal employees, and all federal agencies.

Cost of House Bill H.R. 532

$67.00 Million
A CBO cost estimate is unavailable. However, a CBO estimate of a previous version of this bill done in 2009 (H.R. 626) found that implementation of this act would cost $67 million in 2010 and a total of $938 million over the 2010-2014 period.

More Information

Of Note:

According to a Presidential Memorandum, paid leave policies in the U.S. lag behind other developed nations. Currently, employees in many congressional offices are expected to use sick days after the birth of a child. 


Sponsoring Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-NY) noted in support of her bill that this current policy is inadequate, as many people cannot save enough vacation and sick days to constitute a full parental leave. Sponsoring Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) has also voiced her support, saying of the current policies: "It’s all but useless except for women like me, women who have leave, or women who can afford to take time off from work."


In Depth: 

Sponsoring Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-NY) has introduced this bill into every Congress since 2000. She offers her staffers 12 paid weeks of maternity and paternity leave.  


Media:

Sponsoring Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-NY) Press Release

CBO Cost Estimate (Previous Bill Version)

Huffington Post

A List Of The Members Of Congress Who Offer Paid Leave

Presidential Memorandum – Modernizing Federal Leave Policies

Roll Call


(Photo Credit: Flickr user Monika Clarke) 

AKA

Federal Employees Paid Parental Leave Act of 2015

Official Title

To provide that 6 of the 12 weeks of parental leave made available to a Federal employee shall be paid leave, and for other purposes.

bill Progress

  • Not enacted
    The President has not signed this bill
  • The senate has not voted
  • The house has not voted
      house Committees
      Committee on Administration
      Committee on Oversight and Reform
    IntroducedJanuary 26th, 2015
    Tim's Opinion In Favor
    ···
    05/04/2015
    My wife and I are both federal employees, coming up on the birth of our second child. Our first goes to day care, and between doctor's appointments and various illnesses, we have had to take much more time off than expected, and we have therefore been able to save up much less sick and annual leave than expected. This puts us in the delicate position of having to max out our leave to spend time with our new baby, and then having to face those illnesses and doctor's appointments with almost no banked leave. It's bad for us, it's bad for our children, and it's ultimately bad for our places of work. I implore you to support this legislation.
    Like (6)
    Follow
    Share
    Jv's Opinion Against
    ···
    02/06/2015
    should be in line with private benefits....if the government had more accountability it might be acceptable in some form
    Like (4)
    Follow
    Share
    AutumnStarlight's Opinion In Favor
    ···
    12/06/2015
    Why just Federal employees? Why not all employees? The United States is one of the only industrialized nations on the entire planet that does not mandate or even offer paid parental leave. It's disgraceful.
    Like (4)
    Follow
    Share
    Scott's Opinion In Favor
    ···
    03/10/2015
    How are we not doing this for every single american mother and father? This would make a difference in many lives.
    Like (4)
    Follow
    Share
    John's Opinion Against
    ···
    02/06/2015
    Most people do not get nearly the perks that federal workers have. It's a fairness issue with me.
    Like (3)
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    Edd's Opinion In Favor
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    02/10/2015
    In this day and age, when both parents have to work, this job benefit is necessary.
    Like (2)
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    Thomas a's Opinion In Favor
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    02/06/2015
    I agree that Parental leave is essential for the health and development of children and their parents. Paid leave not only reduces stress for new parents, but also reduces employee turnover and allows for a more inclusive workforce.
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    Chad's Opinion Against
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    07/13/2015
    It would be a burden to us taxpayers.
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    Jamie's Opinion In Favor
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    05/06/2016
    In actuality, paid parental leave, where it's been implemented, is neutral at the worst. Both mothers and fathers should be allowed paid parental leave so that they can spend this important time together caring for the delicate new life they have been blessed with.
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    WestonDutson's Opinion Against
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    08/30/2016
    People ahould look for employment that already offers that-- not call for Congress to mandate it happen. I'm not ok with a mandate for private businesses or for the public sector.
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    Garth's Opinion Against
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    10/16/2016
    Just like government to pass a bill to pay themselves more.
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    Chris's Opinion Against
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    12/09/2015
    This is a waste of tax dollars. This is your money we are talking about. If you want to pay more taxes so badly I believe there is an option to donate as much as you like
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    Molly's Opinion In Favor
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    04/22/2015
    Federal jobs often pay less than their private sector counterparts esp. for high skilled jobs. Provisions like these attract better qualified govt workers. Private corporations might be able to penalize parents by not granting them leave, but this is not an example the fed govt should embody, esp because the unpaid parental leave is most harshly felt by women who often have to take time to recover from giving birth to children. Considering that these children are our future citizens, soldiers, and tax payers of America, we shouldn't penalize the parents who raise them.
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    Christine's Opinion Against
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    05/19/2016
    Just No
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    Eleanor's Opinion In Favor
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    05/12/2016
    Supporting parents' important connection to their newborn is essential.
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    Dottie's Opinion Against
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    05/04/2016
    NO! This is ridiculous. When we decide to have a child, we also make a decision that requires we provide for this new life. For my part I was pleased to work on my parenting skills on my own during the day and at my own pace. BTW the working father did not long for mid- night time feeding and changing the new baby, nor did the working parent jump out of bed on weekends just to spend as much time as possible with this new life. Not accusing all, but enough to make it just flat out silly to provide this expensive "benefit" which is in general unnecessary. Don't quote unusual situations to make a rule for all!
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    Keeper1029's Opinion Against
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    03/10/2016
    Without pay yes. Who gets six weeks paid time off except Union member. Most Americans get 2-3 weeks paid leave. Because of the economy it less or employees are forced to take paid days off chewing up all vacation time. The federal Government should suffer right along with the people of United States. Then one maybe you get some work done we can get our vacations back in they can have theirs but not until then.
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    Anthony's Opinion In Favor
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    02/09/2016
    its a start life is short your kids are born only once hopefully corporation's will follow suit its called leading by example a video is no substitute for the real thing
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    Russell's Opinion In Favor
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    01/23/2016
    Paid parental leave is long overdue for employees both public and private in the US. This bill will send a signal that American businesses should value people over profit.
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    Ryan's Opinion Against
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    03/07/2016
    The government is already the least productive sector
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