30th Anniversary of the Family and Medical Leave Act Marked with Remarks from President

On Monday, President Joe Biden delivered remarks to mark the 30th anniversary of the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA). The FMLA was signed into law by former President Bill Clinton in 1993. It provides eligible employees with up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave for medical or family reasons. In his remarks, Biden noted that while the FMLA was a groundbreaking piece of legislation when it was passed, it is now “woefully inadequate” given today’s realities. He highlighted that many workers are still unable to take advantage of its protections due to their employment status or lack of job security. Biden also pointed out that while some states have enacted laws providing paid leave, most Americans still don’t have access to this benefit. He called on Congress to pass a comprehensive paid family and medical leave program so all Americans can care for themselves and their families without sacrificing their economic security. The president also noted that despite progress made over the past three decades, there is still much work to be done in order to ensure all workers have access to quality health care and other benefits they need in order to thrive. He emphasized that he will continue fighting for these rights as long as he is in office. In addition, Biden announced a series of executive actions aimed at strengthening workplace protections for federal employees and contractors. These include expanding eligibility for certain types of leave, ensuring employees receive pay during periods of unpaid leave, and prohibiting employers from retaliating against workers who use FMLA-protected leave time. The president concluded his remarks by saying “we must never forget why we fought so hard for these rights—so that no one has to choose between caring for themselves or their loved ones and keeping their job."