Twenty Years Ago Today: Allen Votes Against Family Medical Leave Act

Twenty Years Ago Today: Allen Votes Against Family Medical Leave Act

Richmond, VA - Twenty years ago today the House of Representatives voted to give people experiencing a family medical emergency or welcoming the birth of a child the freedom to take unpaid leave in order to care for their loved ones without losing their jobs - and they did it over George Allen's strong opposition.

Allen, then a member of the U.S. House, voted against the Family and Medical Leave Act calling the law "harmful, interfering, counterproductive legislation." 

Allen's opposition to the bill, which was viewed as a victory for women's workplace equality, stemmed from a familiar theme in his career: his unwillingness to support women and their families. 

"Voting to allow employers to fire women needing time off to give birth or care for a sick relative is not the first time George Allen has put his personal agenda ahead of more freedom and equality for Virginia women," said Delegate Jennifer McClellan. "From his refusal to support the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act to his support for Personhood legislation that could outlaw abortion and deny women access to some forms of birth control, Allen rarely misses and opportunity to limit a woman's right to make her own economic or health care choices."

Delegate Charniele Herring continued, "George Allen spends a lot of time talking about freedom, but that rhetoric doesn't seem to include the freedom to have a child without losing your job, the freedom to be paid equally for equal work regardless of your gender, or the freedom to make our own choices about our own bodies. Virginia women need a Senator like Tim Kaine who will fight for more economic and reproductive rights, not one like George Allen who has spent his entire career trying to roll back the clock on important freedoms and protections."

Background:

Allen Voted Against The Family And Medical Leave Act Because He Said It "Was A Burden On Businesses." In October 2006, the Washington Post reported, "As a congressman, Allen voted against the Family and Medical Leave Act, which gives workers 12 weeks of unpaid leave for the birth of a child or to care for a sick family member. He said the bill, signed into law by President Bill Clinton in 1993, was a burden on businesses."  [Washington Post, 10/23/06]

George Allen Had "Strong Opposition" To FMLA, Said "I Implore The House To Stop Meddling In Matters Which Are Not Its Concern." In September 1992 George Allen said of the Family and Medical Leave Act: "Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong opposition to this bill. Unpaid leave to give birth or adopt a child or to care for a sick family member is certainly desirable, and I would encourage businesses to offer such a benefit. However, let us examine this congressional edict. First and foremost the Government has no right to dictate employment contract provisions onto the free enterprise system. This legislation places an enormous financial burden on small businesses, and it would lead to the loss of many jobs because employers can't afford this expensive Federal mandate. This intrusive mandate can adversely affect efficiency and productivity in all business, large or small. Aside from costing the American economy thousands of jobs, this misguided bill can discourage employers from hiring people during their child-bearing years or with sick relatives. In addition, the cost of complying with this mandate will prevent employers from providing other more desirable benefits for all employees, such as health care coverage. Many employers already offer some kind of family leave benefit, as well as other important benefits, in order to compete for the best employees. But, this is a matter which should be negotiated between employers and employees. This Congress has already done enough to harm the economy and cost Americans their jobs. I implore the House to stop meddling in matters which are not its concern, and I urge my colleagues to vote down this harmful, interfering, counterproductive legislation." [Congressional Record, 9/10/92]