Senator Brings Back Family Leave Bill, Hoping for Broader Support

Nine days after Congress failed to override President Bush’s veto of his family and medical leave legislation, Sen. Christopher J. Dodd (D-Conn.) reintroduced the measure Friday, hoping to “broaden the base of support” for the plan.

The measure would require all businesses with at least 50 employees to provide up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave per year for childbirth, adoption or serious illness to the employee or an immediate family member, such as a child or parent.

The measure was passed by the House on May 10 and by the Senate on June 14 but was vetoed on June 29 by Bush, who said he favored a voluntary leave system. On July 25, the House failed to override the Bush veto.

Dodd, who said he already has 25 Senate co-sponsors for the measure, added that he is not optimistic that the legislation will see much action in the waning months of this session. He said he is hoping “to broaden the base of support and having the bill in (the Senate) helps keep people aware that we haven’t dropped the issue.”

Dodd admitted “great frustration” for having to start over with the bill, but he said he is “confident that the President will respond to the needs of working families” by eventually backing the legislation.