Federal Employees Would Get Paid Parental Leave Under House Democrats’ Bill
The measure, which was introduced Monday, follows a call by President Barack Obama during his State-Of-The-Union address to take such action. In other legislative news, the Senate Finance Committee is scheduled this week to consider a bipartisan veterans' bill that would create incentives to hire veterans. It also includes a health law tweak that would allow companies to exempt vets who get health care through the Veterans Health Administration from the health law's employer mandate calculations.
The Washington Post:
Democrat Bill Would Give Federal Workers Paid Parental Leave
Federal employees would be eligible for six weeks of paid leave for purposes related to the birth or adoption of a child, under legislation introduced Monday by a group of House Democrats. President Obama two weeks ago called on Congress to enact that benefit–which would be paid “administrative” leave that would not be charged against either sick leave or annual leave time–while separately ordering agencies to advance up to six weeks of paid sick leave for those purposes under existing authority. (Yoder, 1/26)
The Hill:
Senate Finance To Consider Veterans Bill
The Senate Finance Committee will consider its first piece of legislation of the new Congress on Wednesday, marking up a bipartisan measure to incentivize the hiring of veterans and tweak Obamacare. The House passed the Hire More Heroes Act roughly three weeks ago by a 412-0 vote, in its first vote dealing with President Obama’s health care law this year. (Becker, 1/26)
Also happening on Capitol Hill -
CQ Healthbeat:
Plot Against Boehner Puts Mental Health Back In Spotlight
The recent indictment of a former Ohio country club bartender for allegedly threatening to shoot or poison House Speaker John A. Boehner is one more example that Rep. Tim Murphy uses to buttress his legislation for more aggressive mental health treatment. The bartender, Michael R. Hoyt,had a history of mental problems; country club members told the Dayton Daily News that Hoyt’s demeanor had changed since he suffered a concussion when he was mugged two years ago, and he had been fired by the club last fall. (Attias 1/26)
Minneapolis Star-Tribune:
Medical Device Company Executive Plans Run Against Rep. John Kline
Angie Craig, a vice president at a medical device company, announced Monday that she plans to run against GOP Rep. John Kline next year in the Second Congressional District. (Sherry, 1/26)
