In the past two Congresses, I introduced the Federal Employees Paid Parental Leave Act (S.354), to provide four weeks of paid leave to federal employees for the birth or adoption of a child. It is our goal to ensure that the federal government, the nation’s largest employer with 2.7 million employees, maintains policies that support strong families and sets an example for the private sector.

This legislation is a matter of fairness for federal workers and their families. I believe that federal employees should have the same opportunity for family-friendly benefits that are offered to military families and a growing number of workers in the private sector.

The Federal Employees Paid Parental Leave Act of 2009 will provide that, of the 12 weeks of unpaid leave guaranteed by the Family and Medical Leave Act, federal employees be allowed to substitute 4 weeks of paid leave, as well as any accrued annual or sick leave, for the birth or adoption of a child.

The federal workforce is aging faster than the workforce overall, with more than half of the federal government’s employees becoming eligible for retirement in the next ten years. This requirement mirrors the Senate Armed Services Committee's recent decision to allow for 21 days of paid parental leave for servicemen in the National Defense Authorization Act. The benefits desired by younger workers are offered by many private sector employers, but not by the federal government. Research by the Joint Economic Committee has found that Fortune 100 firms offer paid leave, which typically lasts six to eight weeks. The Paid Parental Leave Act will improve recruitment and retention of younger workers for federal agencies.

I am pleased that on June 4, under the leadership of Representative Carolyn B. Maloney (D-NY), the House of Representatives overwhelmingly passed the Federal Employees Paid Parental Leave Act. With a number of cosponsors in the Senate and the support of interested groups representing 2.7 million government employees, I look forward to advancing a family-friendly standard for workplace policy that supports our federal workers.