Reps. Evans and Salinas Introduce Bipartisan Bill Advocating for Military Spouses

WASHINGTON, DC — Congressman Gabe Evans (CO-08) and Congresswoman Andrea Salinas (OR-06) introduced the bipartisan PCS Leave for Military Spouse Federal Workers Act, a bill that will build on the Office of Personnel Management’s (OPM) “suggested” time off guidance, and requires federal agencies to provide at least 5 days of administrative leave to a military spouse who's employed by the federal government, and who are relocating with their active-duty partner. 

“As a veteran who has received Permanent Change of Station orders multiple times, I know firsthand the sacrifice that military spouses like my wife make to support their partners,” said Rep. Gabe Evans. “I’m proud to co-lead the PCS Leave for Military Spouse Federal Workers Act which codifies the Office of Personnel Management's guidance and ensures that servicemembers’ husbands and wives working at a federal agency receive at least five days administrative leave when given PCS orders.”

“When a servicemember gets orders to relocate, their spouse should not have to exhaust their personal time off or forgo pay just to move,” said Rep. Andrea Salinas. “Our bill ensures that military spouses employed by the federal government have the paid leave they need to relocate with the dignity, stability, and support they deserve. This assistance allows families to manage the practical realities of relocating — like enrolling their children in new schools, finding childcare, and setting up a new home — without added strain.”

“Our 2023 national survey shows that active-duty spouses who are employed full time are more likely to report excellent family well-being, yet too many lose income or employment stability when the military requires a move. Ensuring a window of administrative leave is a meaningful way to support military spouses, strengthen financial stability, and recognize the essential role that military families play in the readiness of our all-volunteer force.” — Shannon Razsadin, Military Family Advisory Network CEO.

“Supporting military families means recognizing the unique challenges that come with frequent relocations. Providing 40 hours of administrative leave for federal employees who are military spouses during a PCS move is not just a thoughtful accommodation — it’s a smart policy. It helps retain talented individuals, reduces job instability, and makes military service more sustainable for whole families.” — Kathy Roth-Douquet, Blue Star Families

Background

On average, military families move every 2.5 years. Oftentimes, a servicemember’s spouse bears a significant burden during this process, which is financially, emotionally, and physically exhausting. Forevery single move, they have to find child care, enroll their children in new schools, and organize and set up their home. This burden can be especially daunting for working spouses, especially if their employer doesn’t provide them with paid leave to focus on the move.

Due to the high rates of under and unemployment among military spouses, the federal government started the Military Spouse Preference Program, which provides employment preference to spouses of active duty servicemembers for federal jobs.

While this is beneficial to military families, the federal government doesn’t require agencies to provide paid leave for military spouses employed by the federal government who accompany their spouse on a PCS move. As a result, some military spouses who are federal workers have to take leave without pay or use their own vacation days in order to help move their family.

To combat this, at the end of 2023, The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) circulated a memo encouraging agencies to offer up to 5 days of admin leave for federal employees who have to relocate due to their spouse’s PCS orders. However, this memo did not require agencies to do so, only recommending that they do.

The bill text can be found here.