Senate Panel Backs Family Leave Bill
A Senate committee ignored Republican warnings Wednesday that the family leave bill faces a certain veto by President Bush and endorsed the measure for action by the full chamber.
The bill, which would guarantee workers up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave for the birth of a child or a family illness, was approved 12 to 5 by the Senate Labor and Human Resources Committee. A similar version is pending in the House.
Labor Secretary Lynn Martin, who voted for the family leave issue when she served in the House, recently sent a letter threatening another veto from the White House if the measure passes.
Business groups oppose the measure and contend that the government should not mandate workers’ benefits. Mandatory family leave could force businesses to cut other benefits, businesses contend.
Get the L.A. Times Politics newsletter
Deeply reported insights into legislation, politics and policy from Sacramento, Washington and beyond. In your inbox three times per week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
