More generous family leave vetoed

[unhappycamper]

More generous family leave vetoed
By Rick Maze - Staff writer
Posted : Wednesday Oct 3, 2007 16:24:07 EDT

The head of a nonprofit group pushing for more generous federal rules to let military families take time off from work to care for wounded service members complained Wednesday that a presidential veto could prevent the law from changing anytime soon.

Congress had included a change in the Family and Medical Leave Act specifically for military families in the children’s health insurance bill that President Bush vetoed Wednesday. Bush cited the bill’s cost and other issues as reasons for the veto.

Congressional leaders are talking about attempting to override the veto, which would require a two-thirds majority of the House and Senate, but it does not appear there are enough votes in the House for that strategy to succeed.

The military-related family leave provisions did not appear to be a factor in Bush’s veto of the bill. A White House point paper about objections to the bill makes no mention of changes in the Family and Medical Leave Act.

The military leave provision would have allowed a spouse, parent, child or other next of kin to take up to six months of unpaid leave without fear of losing a civilian job to care for a severely injured service member or veteran. Current law allows only 12 weeks of unpaid leave and does not extend to parents, siblings or relatives other than a spouse and children.

Rest of article at: http://www.armytimes.com/news/2007/10/military_familyle...