(The Center Square) – Two Virginia congressmen are leading bipartisan legislation to increase military leave for federal employees serving in the reserves or National Guard.
Democrat Rep. Abigail Spanberger and Republican Rep. Rob Wittman have introduced legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives to expand paid military leave for federal workers.
Federal law provides 15 days of paid leave for federal employees serving in the reserves or National Guard to use for training and service, separate from sick and vacation leave.
The lawmakers say the current allotment is primarily based on a Monday through Friday work schedule, which they say “discounts many federal employees who work weekends.” They cited federal firefighters, correctional officers and law enforcement as federal employees expected to work weekends.
The congressmen said once federal employees exhaust military leave, they must dip into vacation or sick leave or take unpaid leave, which can negatively impact them financially as they continue to serve.
Spanberger and Wittman highlighted the requirement that guard members and reservists must attend annual two-week training and “drill” at least one weekend a month, quickly eating away their allotted military leave.
“I’ve heard firsthand of the extra burden shouldered by federal employees who often contribute their personal PTO and sick leave to fulfill their duties,” Spanberger said.
The Supporting Federal Employees in the National Guard & Reserves Act “would increase the leave allotted for federal employees to use for active duty, full-time training and inactive duty training to 36 days per fiscal year,” which they say is the minimum number of days Guardsmen and reserve units are required to serve, including weekends.
Spanberger highlighted the personal sacrifices that guard members and reservists make while serving the nation, saying they shouldn’t have to make additional sacrifices to serve.
“Our brave guardsmen and reservists often leave their homes and families to remain prepared to support our communities during an emergency, train to serve their country, or when called to full-time service. These heroes serve at great personal cost – and should not have to further sacrifice in support of the mission,” said the congresswoman.
Wittman echoed the congresswoman, stressing that guard members and reservists shouldn’t have to use personal leave or be “penalized” in an effort to fulfill their military commitment.
“These dedicated public servants should not have to use their sick leave and vacation days in order to attend drill on weekends and their annual training,” Wittman said. “I’m proud to introduce this bipartisan legislation to ensure these individuals receive adequate military leave so they are not penalized for serving our nation.”
The bipartisan legislation has been endorsed by several organizations representing federal employees and first responders, including the National Fraternal Order of Police, the International Association of Fire Fighters and the Reserve Organization of America.
Patrick Yoes, national president of the Fraternal Order of Police, cited the FY25 National Defense Authorization Act, which increases the leave to 20 days. However, he also said it “misses the mark” for employees who work the weekends.
In addition, Yoes said the additional allotted leave is “imperative” for the overall health and well-being of federal employees serving.
“Sufficient military leave time for federal law enforcement and correctional officers who concurrently serve in the National Guard or reserves – public servants fulfilling multiple critical duties – is imperative for their mental, physical, and financial well-being. Federal law provides only 15 days of paid leave on a Monday through Friday schedule, which is wholly inadequate,” said Yoes.
Spanberger urges Congress to pass the legislation, saying it is a “small way” to show support for those who serve.
“Congress must work to provide every American who answers the call with stability and peace of mind, and our bipartisan legislation is a small way to deliver for our neighbors who show us what it truly means to serve,” said Spanberger.
