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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 8, 2008
Contact:
Press Office,
703-875-1271
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Our economy is sliding into
recession and the strain on working families – from stagnant wages,
rising energy costs, looming foreclosures, and skyrocketing tuition
– is growing. Yet, the Bush Administration has acted once
again to tilt the balance of power towards corporations instead of
hardworking Americans. I believe we should expand the FMLA so
that all workers have the time they need to care for themselves,
their children, or sick family members, and be responsible
employees.
I have proposed a bold agenda
to address the work-family squeeze that so many parents feel.
Forty percent of workers are currently ineligible for FMLA benefits
because they work part-time, work for small businesses, or are new
to their jobs. My plan will expand the FMLA to cover 13
million additional workers, provide 7 sick days, move us towards
paid family leave for new parents and caregivers, and provide
greater access to quality child care for working families. I
was also proud to work with my colleague Senator Dodd to enact
legislation that provides extended access to leave for the relatives
of wounded military members.
The Bush Administration is
seeking to make it more difficult for employees to claim paid leave
when it is available to them by requiring the employers leave
policies to take precedent over the FMLA; requiring employees with
chronic health conditions to obtain an annual certification that
they are able to do their job or risk being transferred to a
different job; allowing employers to communicate directly with
medical providers, which raises privacy concerns; and much more. The
proposed regulation is 500 pages long.
The Family and Medical Leave
Act makes it possible for people to meet their responsibilities at
work and at home. I have advanced a positive agenda to move
our nation towards this goal. The President's proposed
regulations, unfortunately, are a harmful step back.
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