DeLauro Celebrates 20th Anniversary of Family and Medical Leave Act

Changed America's Workplaces

WASHINGTON, DC—Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) releasedthe following statement celebrating the twentieth anniversary of the Familyand Medical Leave Act being signed by President Clinton. DeLauro's homestate of Connecticut passed the first-ever state family and medical leavelegislation in 1989.

"Workers have used the leave provided for by the FMLA over100 million times – to care for their newborn children, to care for sick orinjured family members, or just to get better themselves. The FMLA transformedAmerican workplaces for the better. They are more family-friendly, moreproductive, and more efficient because, 20 years ago, Congress acted in abipartisan fashion on behalf of employees, employers, and American families.

"I also would note that for years before we passed the FMLA,there was an outcry that the U.S. economy would not survive. Not only did itsurvive, but it thrived. Smart business leaders know that family and medicalleave helps them preserve top talent and cut down on costs in the long run.

"But sadly, we still have a lot of work to do. The FMLA isunpaid leave, and many eligible workers cannot afford to take it – eight out of10 by the most recent survey. We need to modernize and expand the FMLA. And weneed to pass paid leave legislation that I have long championed. Being aworking parent should not mean choosing between your job and taking care ofyourself and your family.

"And just like when it passed the first-ever state familyand medical leave legislation back in 1989, Connecticut is once again leadingthe way forward. My home state passed the first-in-the-nation state paid sickdays law in 2011. I hope, just like the FMLA, we can take this law national.

"But today we honor and celebrate the FMLA. Happy birthday,FMLA!"