Government affairs

On Feb. 7, Sen. Brian Schatz (D-HI) and Rep. Don Beyer (D-VA) reintroduced the Comprehensive Paid Leave for Federal Employees Act (H.R. 856/S. 274). The bill would provide up to 12 weeks of paid family and medical leave for federal employees, including Postal Service employees.

Employees could use this paid leave for personal illness, caring for a family member, or time off work needed for a family member leaving or returning from active military duty. Currently, federal employees are entitled to 12 weeks of leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) for such reasons, but it is not guaranteed paid leave.

Sen. Schatz and former Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-NY) introduced the same bill in the 117th Congress, but the legislation did not reach the floor of either chamber.

Currently, the legislation has 10 cosponsors in the Senate, , nine Democrats and one Independent, and 27 cosponsors in the House, 26 Democrats and one Republican.

NALC is monitoring this legislation and will update letter carriers on any future action.