Cortez Masto, Crapo Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Increase Paid Military for Reserve Servicemembers

Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) and Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) introduced the Supporting Employees in the Guard and Reserve Act to ensure reserve servicemembers can attend critical military trainings and fulfill their duties without losing pay. This bipartisan bill will increase the number of days of paid military leave available to federal employees who are also reserve servicemembers - including those in the National Guard, the Army Reserve, and the Air Force Reserve.

"Reserve servicemembers in Nevada make countless sacrifices to serve our nation, and they deserve easy access to support, resources, and training," said Senator Cortez Masto. "This legislation will update military leave policies to help ensure employees aren't punished for their service to our country, and I'll keep working across the aisle to strengthen our national security."

"As global threats against the United States increase, it is critical we maintain a strong and resilient military," said Senator Crapo. "Further supporting National Guard and Reserves recruitment within the civilian workforce will better equip our nation's military to protect our country at home and abroad."

Currently, a reservist must attend military trainings for 12 weekends and 14 days of annual training at a minimum. However, federal leave policies often only allow for about two weeks of military leave annually. This bipartisan legislation would increase the number of paid military leave days available to federal employees who are also reserve servicemembers from 15 days to 20 days, with additional days rolling over to the following year. Increasing the number of days for military leave will help recruit and retain reserve servicemembers and provide them greater economic stability. Congresswoman Chrissy Houlahan (D-PA-06) has introduced similar companion legislation in the U.S. House of representatives.

Senator Cortez Masto is a champion for service members and their families, as well as our veterans. Last year, she secured the expansion of the Fallon Range Training Complex through the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). She passed her Brian Neuman Act to remove roadblocks for disabled veterans accessing their benefits. She also passed the PACT Act to ensure veterans suffering from toxic exposure in the line of duty get the medical care they need and worked across the aisle to get legislation helping veterans exposed to Agent Orange and expanding benefits for women veterans signed into law. She is also working to pass legislation to ensure the benefits of veterans with service-connected disabilities keep up with the rising cost of living.

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