Senator Dodd, author of the landmark Family and Medical Leave Act, today urged President Bush to sign a bill he authored which would allow the families of wounded military personnel to take up to six months of unpaid leave while they help their loved ones recover. The bill was passed by both chambers and was sent to the President nearly 10 days ago, on December 14, 2007.
"Our wounded servicemen and women and their families shouldn't have the additional worry of losing their job while caring for their loved one who risked their safety for our country. This measure will allow loved ones to care for our warriors in their time of need, helping troops recover from serious war injuries, and preserving critical family bonds. In all of the debates about funding the war, ending the war and continuing the war, we cannot lose sight of the fact that there are servicemen and women continually sacrificing so much for all of us."
Dodd's legislation, which received significant bipartisan support, will implement a key recommendation of the Commission on the Care for Wounded Warriors. In addition to Sen. Dodd's original FMLA legislation, Dodd recently introduced the Family Leave Insurance Act of 2007, legislation that will provide paid leave to workers for the birth or adoption of a child, to care for a child, spouse or parent with a serious illness or to care for their own serious illness. Senator Dodd has been a long-time advocate for the health and safety of U.S. troops. From leading the effort to ensure that our men and women in uniform have the safety equipment they need, to fighting to restore National Guard readiness, Dodd has worked tirelessly on behalf of American servicemen and women.
Comments
I sincerely hope Pres. Bush signs this legislation. I have a very limited understanding of what the families of wounded military personnel must go through. I do know that in 1990 I was sent to Germany for my first unit after basic and AIT as many soldiers were at that time. For the young soldiers who were away from home for the first time the new environment and the limited communications with family was very difficult for them. I can not image what the extra strain of being in a war adds to these new recruits and for their families. Add to that news that your loved one will becoming home early because of a wound. Not being able to take the time to comfort and be comforted by my loved one would be more than I could bear. Pres. Bush has put this burden on our troops and he owes it to the troops to support them. Sen. Dodd has even done to work to write it up for him.
Sen. Dodd will bring our troops home as soon as possible. He will also do everything he can for the troops until that time. Being president means not only doing what you believe is the best course of action it also means supporting Americans where ever and what ever they are doing not matter what.
One other point before closing. Bring home the troops does not mean disbanding the armed forces. They will still be in uniform but they will not be getting battered everyday in a mission that has long since ended. They will be trained and ready. Their equipment will be rebuilt or replaced. And just like Chris Dodd, they will be ready to protect the country.