WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. House Armed Services Committee passed Representative Zach Nunn’s (IA-03) bipartisan legislation with Representative Jeff Jackson (NC-14) to expand parental leave eligibility for fathers and adoptive parents serving in the drilling Reserve and National Guard. The Reserve Component Parental Leave Parity Act passed as part of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).
“As a father and current Air Force Reserve member, I know there is more to be done on parental leave for our military members. I’m proud that my bipartisan bill with Jeff Jackson has been included in this year’s National Defense Authorization Act,” Rep. Nunn said. “I look forward to this critical bill being passed by the House, Senate, and signed into law to ensure members have equal access to parental leave for fathers and adoptive parents. Any servicemember who serves our country deserves time with their new children.”
This legislation aims to address the disparity under current policies that Congress passed in 2021 that expanded parental leave for fathers and adoptive parents in active duty but did not include drilling members of the Reserve and National Guard. Currently, leave policies for drill members are limited to new mothers.
Text of the legislation can be found here. The bill will now be considered by the full House of Representatives.