WASHINGTON, D.C. – On Monday evening, the United States Senate unanimously passed legislation introduced by Congressman Stephen F. Lynch (D-Boston), which affords wounded warriors the flexibility to receive medical care as they transition to serving the nation in a new capacity.  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.

“I am very pleased that the Senate has passed H.R. 313, the Wounded Warriors Federal Leave Act.  Our bill will provide medical leave for returning disabled veterans who now work as federal employees, enabling them to receive treatment while transitioning into civilian life,” said Congressman Lynch. “I am very grateful that in a difficult political environment, this legislation is on its way to President Obama’s desk for his signature.  I give great credit to Chairman Jason Chaffetz and Ranking Member Elijah Cummings in the House as well as Senator Jon Tester for his hard work to gain passage in the Senate. They are true champions of our wounded warriors,” Lynch added.

“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.  The transition from active duty to civilian life is a tough one, and this bill should make that transition just a little easier,” said Senator Jon Tester (D-Mont.).

The Wounded Warriors Federal Leave Act of 2015 passed the House of Representatives unanimously on September 28, 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 113^th Congress.

The text of the legislation is available here.