House Passes Military Spending Bill Including Major Expansion of FMLA

Peter Urban of the Connecticut Post reported that the House overwhelmingly approved legislation Wednesday that would authorize $696 billion in military programs and set Pentagon policies including an expansion of family medical leave for wounded service members.

The legislation, introduced by Senator Dodd in August (similar legislation was also introduced by other Democratic Presidential contenders) includes an expansion of the Family and Medical Leave Act providing up to six months of leave to family members of combat-injured service members to care for their loved ones. 

The legislation was approved 370-49 and is expected to pass the Senate today so it can be sent to the White House for President Bush's almost certain approval.  Expansion of the FMLA to provide up to 6 months of leave to care for an injured soldier was recommended by the President's Commission on Care for America's Returning Wounded Warriors.

The full article may be viewed at http://www.connpost.com/localnews/ci_7704930

Comment:  We could see a major expansion of the FMLA in weeks.  You may view several prior posts regarding the proposed expansion in the Legislation section of this Blog. 

Of course, President Bush may veto the Military spending bill on other grounds, perhaps because it contains excessive pork.  Generally, however, these matters are worked in Committee because, ultimately, the government needs money to keep running.

If the FMLA is expanded, the DOL could use the opportunity to amend the existing FMLA regulations in light of the 15,000 comments it recently received on the subject as it drafts new regulations to implement the military family leave legislation.  Stay tuned!