Tester’s Wounded Warriors Federal Leave Act unanimously passes out of committee

Senator’s bill ensures wounded veterans who work in government get the care they need

(U.S. Senate) – Senator Jon Tester’s bipartisan bill to make sure disabled veterans who work for the federal government can get the medical care they need unanimously passed out of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee.

Tester’s Wounded Warriors Federal Leave Act, would provide first-year federal workers who have service-related disabilities 104 hours of sick leave to use for medical visits.

Currently, first-year government workers accrue four hours of sick leave each pay period, forcing many veterans with disabilities to take unpaid leave, because they have not built up the necessary leave time. Tester’s bill would give these veteran employees 104 hours of leave up front, not forcing them to make the hard decision between receiving care and taking unpaid leave after they start their new job.

“Veterans who served our nation honorably and now commit themselves to public service shouldn’t have to take unpaid leave to receive the care they need,” said Tester, Montana’s only member of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee. “This common-sense bill gives veterans peace of mind to seek medical care, and I look forward to it passing the full Senate.”

The Senator’s bill will now be considered by the full Senate.

Tester’s bipartisan Wounded Warriors Federal Leave Act, cosponsored by Senator Jerry Moran (R – Kan.), is available online HERE.