Sen. Christopher Dodd, D-Conn., became one of first lawmakers to try to enact proposals from the president’s wounded warrior commission, introducing a bill Thursday night to give up to six months of unpaid leave to the family or caregivers of wounded combat veterans.
Dodd’s proposal would extend to military families benefits under the Family and Medical Leave Act, which allows up to 12 weeks of time off work.
Dodd introduced the bill, S 1894, at the urging of former Sen. Bob Dole, R-Kan., one of the architects of the original Family and Medical Leave Act who also was co-chairman of the President’s Commission on Care for America’s Returning Wounded Warriors. That commission reported its recommendations to President Bush Wednesday.
“Our troops are giving their all on the battlefield,” Dodd said in a statement. “The very least our government owes them is its total support for their family and medical needs.”
