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U.S. Sen. Alex Padilla, D-Calif., joined Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., Monday to reintroduce legislation that would require employers to provide full-time workers with at least two weeks of paid vacation.
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The Guaranteed Paid Vacation Act would allow workers to earn one hour of paid leave for every 25 hours worked. Full-time employees would receive at least two weeks of paid vacation each year at their regular rate of pay, and employers could not penalize workers for taking the leave.
“Paid vacation and time-off shouldn’t only be for high-income earners. It’s past time we ensure that all workers have time to recharge,” Padilla said in a news release. “Everyone deserves time to decompress and spend time with their loved ones in addition to paid sick leave and paid family leave.”
Supporters say the proposal would address a gap between U.S. labor policy and policies in other wealthy countries. Padilla’s office said nearly one in four U.S. workers — more than 33 million people — receive no paid vacation time.
The release also cited a recent RAND Corporation poll that found 90% of Americans support legislation requiring employers to offer earned time off.
A fact sheet Sanders’ office compiled . The United Kingdom tops the list with 28 days, followed by Sweden and France with 25 days each. The United States guarantees none at the federal level.
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“It is beyond unacceptable that in the year 2026, the United States remains the only major country on Earth not to guarantee paid vacation time to workers,” Sanders said. “This legislation would put an end to that international embarrassment.”
Rep. Seth Magaziner, D-R.I., introduced companion legislation in the House alongside 86 other members, according to Padilla’s office. Magaziner and Sanders first introduced versions of the legislation in 2024.
The proposal is backed by several major labor organizations, including the United Auto Workers, Service Employees International Union, National Education Association and American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees.
“Every worker in America deserves the chance to rest, recharge, and spend time with the people they love without worrying about missing a paycheck,” Magaziner said. “I’m grateful to Senator Sanders for leading this fight in the Senate. It is time that we deliver this basic fairness to hardworking Americans.”
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