Dodd, Clinton Announce Approval of their Legislation to Extend Family, Medical Leave for Families of Wounded Soldiers

Legislation Now Goes to the President's Desk to Be Signed Into Law

December 14, 2007 -- Washington, DC – Senators Chris Dodd (D-CT) and Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-NY) today announced that the Senate has approved their legislation, The Support for Injured Servicemembers Act, as part of the Department of Defense (DOD) authorization conference report. Having now been approved by both chambers of Congress, the bill now goes to the President’s desk to be signed into law.

The Dodd-Clinton legislation extends the benefits provided under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) by allowing the families of wounded military personnel to take up to six months of unpaid leave. The legislation will implement a key recommendation of the Commission on the Care for Wounded Warriors, led by former Senator Bob Dole and former Secretary of Health and Human Services Donna Shalala.

“Our nation’s military heroes have made enormous sacrifices and deserve nothing less than the assurance that when they return home they will receive the appropriate care and treatment" said Dodd. “This measure will allow loved ones to care for our warriors in their time of need, helping troops recover from serious war injuries, and preserving critical family bonds. By passing this important legislation we will protect family members' rights to keep their jobs when they are providing important care and we will ensure that our injured troops receive the comfort and attention that they need.”

“Our wounded servicemembers have made great sacrifices in defense of our nation, and their families and loved ones face tremendous challenges in giving these troops the care they need. We have made a real step forward today toward easing the burdens on our men and women in uniform and their families,” said Senator Clinton.

The Dodd-Clinton legislation received widespread, bipartisan support in both the Senate and the House. The Senate cosponsors of the bipartisan measure include Senators Elizabeth Dole (R-NC), Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Barbara Mikulski (D-MD), Saxby Chambliss (R-GA), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Ben Cardin (D-MD), Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Ken Salazar (D-CO), Edward Kennedy (D-MA), Jack Reed (D-RI), Barbara Boxer (D-CA), Patty Murray (D-WA), Joseph Lieberman (I-CT), Pat Roberts (R-KS) and Barack Obama (D-IL). The legislation is also supported by the National Partnership for Women and Families, the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, the National Military Families Association, the Military Officers Association of America, the National Guard Association of the United States, the Enlisted Association of the National Guard of the United States, and the Reserve Officers Association.

Senator Dodd is the author of the landmark Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), which has allowed more than 50 million workers to take up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave if they are ill or if they need to care for a sick family member or new child. Dodd recently introduced the Family Leave Insurance Act of 2007, legislation that will provide paid leave to workers for the birth or adoption of a child, to care for a child, spouse or parent with a serious illness or to care for their own serious illness. Senator Dodd has been a long-time advocate for the health and safety of U.S. troops. From leading the effort to ensure that our men and women in uniform have the safety equipment they need, to fighting to restore National Guard readiness, Dodd has worked tirelessly on behalf of American servicemen and women.

Senator Clinton has been a champion of the Family and Medical Leave Act, which has helped more than 50 million Americans since President Clinton signed it into law in 1993. Senator Clinton has worked to build on this landmark law, cosponsoring the Family and Medical Leave Expansion Act and the Healthy Families Act. She has also introduced legislation to extend the Family and Medical Leave Act to flight attendants and pilots. As New York's first Senator to serve on the Senate Armed Services Committee, Senator Clinton has made it one of her top priorities to ensure that our brave men and women in uniform and their families have the healthcare and support they need.

Source: Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton

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