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Washington, D.C.—The head of the nation’s largest independent union of federal employees applauded approval by the House of Representatives of H.R. 626, family-friendly legislation that would allow federal workers four weeks of paid leave for the birth or adoption of a child.

“This important legislation is a vital step to helping families who struggle to be both good parents and good employees,” said President Colleen M. Kelley of the National Treasury Employees Union (NTEU).

She added: “Access to paid parental leave in the federal sector, as is widespread among private employers and in industrialized nations around the world, has become a necessity for today’s working families. NTEU will continue working to see this measure become law.” A companion bill, S. 354, introduced by Sen. Jim Webb (D-Va.), is pending in the Senate.

NTEU yesterday took part in a Capitol Hill news conference on H.R. 626, attended by congressional supporters of the measure as well as representatives of women’s and family advocacy groups. Among the attendees: Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-N.Y.), sponsor of the measure; Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-Md.); Rep. Stephen Lynch (D-Mass.), chairman of the House Oversight and Government Reform Subcommittee on the Federal Workforce; and Rep. Danny Davis (D-Ill.). All are staunch supporters of the bill, as is Rep. Frank Wolf (R-Va.).

In her remarks, Rep. Maloney described the legislation as an investment in employees and their children, and, addressing the question of cost raised by opponents, said that “some say the government can’t afford to do so in times like these; I say we can’t afford not to, as more and more families are relying on just one paycheck.”

As the largest independent federal union, NTEU represents 150,000 employees in 31 agencies and departments.