Family Medical Leave Expanded to Cover Wounded Military
29th January 2008
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Through the efforts of the Democratic majority in Congress, the federal Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) has been extended for the first time since the bill was passed 15 years ago. The legislation extends unpaid family and medical leave for up to six months for the families of wounded military personnel.
The law enables military family members to take FMLA leave for "any qualifying exigency" relating to a family member's call up to active duty or deployment.
Just three weeks ago, President Bush vetoed defense authorization legislation that included provisions to extend the FMLA to family members of wounded service members. The White House said Bush opposed a provision in the bill, which could freeze the assets of the Iraqi government in the United States if an American sued that country. He signed the FMLA extension this week.