BOSTON, MA – Congressman Stephen F. Lynch (D-Boston) released the following statement after the President signed the Wounded Warriors Federal Leave Act of 2015 into law. Congressman Lynch introduced and successfully pushed the bipartisan legislation through Congress last month with the help of Committee on Oversight and Government Reform Chairman Jason Chaffetz, Ranking Member Elijah E. Cummings, and Senator Jon Tester (D-Mont.).

“I am very pleased that President Obama signed H.R. 313, the Wounded Warriors Federal Leave Act into law.  This law will provide medical leave for returning disabled veterans who now work as federal employees, enabling them to receive treatment while transitioning into civilian life. As we approach Veterans Day, Congress has demonstrated the gratitude and deep appreciation for the hardship and sacrifices of our veterans and, in particular our wounded warriors, in service to our country.  I thank Chairman Chaffetz and Ranking Member Cummings as well as Senator Tester for their collaboration on this bipartisan effort to support our wounded warriors,” said Congressman Lynch.

H.R. 313, the Wounded Warriors Federal Leave Act of 2015, provides federal employees, who are also disabled veterans, with 104 hours of “Wounded Warrior leave” during their first year in the federal workforce so that they may seek medical treatment for their service-connected disabilities without being forced to take unpaid leave or forego their appointments altogether.

The Wounded Warriors Federal Leave Act of 2015 passed the House of Representatives unanimously on September 28, 2015 and passed the Senate unanimously on October 26, 2015.  Senator Tester and Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) introduced S. 242, the Senate companion bill, on January 22, 2015.  Congressman Lynch first introduced the legislation in the 113th Congress.

The text of the law is available here.