Two newly introduced bills and another that’s moving through Congress would expand paid family and medical leave for federal employees, make it easier to secure medical care and related benefits for workplace injuries, and address unsafe air and ventilation issues in federal buildings.
AFGE supports each of these bills, and we encourage you to let your members of Congress know that they need to support these bills, too.
Comprehensive Paid Leave for Federal Workers
Newly reintroduced legislation would expand federal paid leave to include 12 weeks of family and medical leave.
Currently, federal workers may take up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) to care for an ill family member, their own medical condition, or for circumstances that arise when the employee or a family member is detailed for covered duty in the armed forces.
The Comprehensive Paid Leave for Federal Employees Act (S. 5168), introduced July 29 by Sen. Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), would give federal workers paid leave for these reasons. The bill has seven original cosponsors: Sens. Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Alex Padillla (D-Calif.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), and Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.).
“Right now, our laws are forcing federal workers to make the impossible choice between caring for their families and keeping their jobs,” Schatz said in a press statement. “Our bill will provide federal workers with 12 weeks of paid leave, giving them the time they need to take care of their own health and their loved ones.”
Schatz said studies have shown that providing paid leave for federal employees would save the government at least $50 million annually in turnover and replacement costs.
“AFGE thanks Senator Brian Schatz for once again championing federal workers and their families by reintroducing the Comprehensive Paid Leave for Federal Employees Act,” AFGE National President Everett Kelley said. “Expanding paid family and medical leave ensures federal employees never have to choose between caring for themselves or a loved one and serving the American people. This legislation will strengthen the federal workforce, improve employee retention, and help the government remain a competitive employer for the dedicated public servants our nation depends on.”
Similar bipartisan legislation in the U.S. House (H.R. 9261) was introduced in June by Reps. Don Beyer (D-Va.), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Pa.), and Chrissy Houlahan (D-Pa.) and currently has 13 cosponsors.
Federal Facilities Indoor Air Quality Assessment Act
In the wake of Canadian wildfires that spread unhealthy and hazardous air to millions of Americans across more than 20 states in July, a bipartisan group of lawmakers has introduced legislation that would direct the federal government to identify and address air quality and ventilation problems in federal buildings.
Federal Facilities Indoor Air Quality Assessment Act (H.R. 9886), introduced July 22 by Rep. James Walkinshaw (D-Va.), would direct the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to conduct a comprehensive review of indoor air quality, ventilation, and heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system performance across federal buildings and facilities.
GAO would report its findings and recommendations to Congress within 12 months. Agencies found to have material indoor air quality deficiencies would then have six months to submit corrective action plans.
“Federal employees should never have to risk their health by showing up to work, yet General Services Administration’s own watchdog has identified persistent ventilation problems in federal buildings. Our bipartisan bill will uncover these deficiencies and require agencies to develop concrete plans to fix them,” Rep. Walkinshaw said in a press statement.
The bill has four original cosponsors: Reps. Don Beyer (D-Va.), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Pa.), and Paul Tonko (D-N.Y.), and Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-D.C.).
“Federal employees deserve workplaces that are safe, healthy, and equipped to support their well-being. Too many federal workers spend their days in buildings with aging infrastructure and ventilation systems that may not provide the indoor air quality they need to do their jobs safely and effectively,” AFGE National President Everett Kelley said.
“We commend Representative Walkinshaw for introducing this important legislation directing the General Services Administration to evaluate indoor air quality across federal buildings. This commonsense step will help identify where improvements are needed, strengthen workplace health and safety, and ensure the federal government is making informed investments in the facilities where public servants work every day. AFGE is proud to support this effort to protect the health of the federal workforce.”
Improving Access to Workers’ Compensation for Injured Federal Workers Act
Bipartisan legislation moving through the U.S. Senate would make it easier for federal employees to receive treatment for work-related injuries or illnesses.
The Improving Access to Workers’ Compensation for Injured Federal Workers Act of 2025 (S. 3296), introduced in December by Sens. Susan Collins (R-Maine) and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), would allow employees to receive treatment for work-related injuries from state-licensed nurse practitioners (NP) and physician associates or assistants (PA).
Federal employees already can select a NP or PA as their primary health care provider under the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program. However, under the Federal Employees Compensation Act, only a physician can make the diagnosis, certify the injury and extent of the disability, and oversee the patient’s treatments and care when the federal employee is injured on the job.
“In a large, rural state like Maine, finding access to health care close to home can be a challenge,” Senator Collins said in a press statement. “Nurse practitioners and physician assistants help to fill in this gap by providing quality medical services to local communities. By allowing injured federal workers to be treated by these professionals, our bipartisan bill would help prevent the need for long and difficult travel, reduce wait times for care, and improve employees’ overall health and wellbeing.”
The bill is scheduled for a vote this week by the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee. Similar bipartisan legislation in the U.S. House (H.R. 3147) was introduced in May 2025 by Reps. Tim Walberg (R-Mich.) and Joe Courtney (D-Conn.) and currently has 16 cosponsors.
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Two newly introduced bills and another that’s moving through Congress would expand paid family and medical leave for federal employees, make it easier to secure medical care and related benefits for workplace injuries, and address unsafe air and ventilation issues in federal buildings.
Read More
