{mosads}Durbin, the Democratic whip, argued that rules on unpaid leave should reflect changing U.S. families.
“All employees should be given the same rights to care for a sick loved one in a time of need,” he said in a statement.
The Family and Medical Leave Inclusion Act would allow workers to take unpaid leave when caring for a same-sex spouse or partner, parent-in-law, adult child, sibling, grandchild or grandparent.
It is supported by the Service Employees International Union; the Human Rights Campaign; the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees; and Families USA.