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In response to the announcement that the House and Senate have reached a final agreement on the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) that includes paid parental leave for all federal employees, Congresswoman Jennifer Wexton (D-VA) released the following statement:

“I am incredibly pleased that the House and Senate conferees have reached a deal to provide paid parental leave for all federal workers.

“This policy would be life-changing for hundreds of thousands of federal workers and their families. Not only is paid leave sound economic policy, it would greatly improve efforts to attract and retain the best and brightest into public service.

“There are more than 35,000 federal employees in Virginia’s 10th Congressional District who are forced to cobble together sick days or unpaid time off to care for a new child -- that hurts Virginia families and the critical work these individuals do for the American people.

“One of my first acts in Congress was to introduce the Federal Employee Paid Leave Act alongside Representatives Maloney, Hoyer, and Beyer. Providing 12 weeks of paid parental leave to federal employees is an important step in the right direction toward ensuring comprehensive paid family and medical leave for all Americans.”

Last week, Rep. Wexton joined Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-MD) and other Members of Congress in sending a letter to the Chairs of the Armed Services Committees urging them to include the House-passed provision guaranteeing paid leave in the final version of the NDAA.

Rep. Wexton introduced the Federal Employee Paid Leave Act in February alongside Reps. Carolyn B. Maloney (D-NY), Steny H. Hoyer (D-MD), and Donald S. Beyer (D-VA).

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