Tester’s Wounded Warriors Federal Leave Act heads to the President’s desk

Bipartisan bill to help veterans transition to the work force clears Congress

(U.S. Senate)-Senator Jon Tester today announced that the Senate unanimously passed his bipartisan Wounded Warriors Federal Leave Act and is heading to the President’s desk to be signed into law.

Tester’s Wounded Warriors Federal Leave Act ensures veterans who have a service-related disability, and have been hired by the federal government, start their employment with 104 hours of sick leave in order to seek treatment for their injuries.

“Veterans and their families have made tremendous sacrifices in defense of this country and should not be asked to take unpaid leave to get the care they need and have earned,” Tester said. “The transition from active duty to civilian life is a tough one, and this bill should make that transition just a little easier.”

Currently, first-year government workers accrue four hours of sick leave each pay period, forcing many newly-hired veterans with disabilities to take unpaid leave because they have not built up the necessary leave time.

The Wounded Warriors Federal Leave Act originally passed the Senate back in July, and was then passed by the House. The Senate approved the final version of the bill on Monday.

The bill now heads to the President’s desk to be signed into law.

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