CONGRESS FOR VOTERS

DemocratBill · H.R. 8041· House(119-HR-8041)

Supporting VA Families Act

Rep. Bynum
Age: 51 years
Oregon
Introduced
3/24/2026
Last activity
4/15/2026 — Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee by Voice Vote.
Sponsored by
Janelle Bynum
Cosponsors
Democrat - 75Republican - 12
Armed Forces and National Security
  1. Introduced
  2. In Committee

What this bill would do

This bill is known as the Supporting VA Families Act. It creates a right to extra unpaid parental leave for workers at the Department of Veterans Affairs. Under this legislation, eligible employees get four administrative weeks of leave without pay during any 12-month period. This time off can be used for the birth of a child and to care for that child, or for the placement of a child with the employee for adoption or foster care. The leave entitlement expires at the end of the 12-month period that starts on the date of the birth or placement. This new leave is in addition to any other leave entitlements the employees already have.

Yes· 3 of 6

  • Would women be better off under this?+4

    Women often disproportionately bear caregiving responsibilities and benefit from expanded parental leave options.

  • Would men be better off under this?+4

    Provides fathers with an additional entitlement to care for new children.

  • Does this make child care cost less?+4

    Provides VA employees more time to care for new children through additional unpaid leave.

The opposite

  • Would households on low incomes be better off under this?-2

    The unpaid nature of the leave may create financial strain for lower-income employees.