President Trump Donald John TrumpBarr criticizes DOJ in speech declaring all agency power 'is invested in the attorney general' Military leaders asked about using heat ray on protesters outside White House: report Powell warns failure to reach COVID-19 deal could 'scar and damage' economy MORE’s administration has pulled back requirements for small businesses to administer paid leave to their employees in a guidance published Wednesday.

The Labor Department’s guidance for the coronavirus stimulus bill said companies with fewer than 50 workers have the option to decline 12 weeks of paid leave that the bill mandated for those whose children are home from school or child care.

Employees are granted two weeks of paid sick leave and 12 weeks of paid family leave under the law, which exempted employers from administering the paid family leave if it hindered business from functioning.

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The law already does not apply to companies with more than 500 employees, meaning in total, more than 75 percent of American workers are employed at companies that can be exempt, The New York Times noted.

But the Department of Labor interpreted that small businesses could be exempt from providing the family leave if it would “cause the small business to cease operating,” if employee absence would pose “a substantial risk” to the business or if there were not enough employees “able, willing and qualified” to fill in for the individual on leave.

Small businesses cannot deny sick leave.

But health care providers, first responders and certain federal government employees could also be declined the family paid leave under the law.

Democrats expressed concern that the law did not provide the needed flexibility for workers during the pandemic. Sen. Patty Murray Patricia (Patty) Lynn MurrayTrump health officials grilled over reports of politics in COVID-19 response CDC director pushes back on Caputo claim of 'resistance unit' at agency The Hill's Morning Report - Sponsored by The Air Line Pilots Association - Pence lauds Harris as 'experienced debater'; Trump, Biden diverge over debate prep MORE (D-Wash.) and Rep. Rosa DeLauro Rosa Luisa DeLauroTrump HHS official faces firestorm after attacks on scientists Ahead of a coronavirus vaccine, Mexico's drug pricing to have far-reaching impacts on Americans Shutdown politics set to collide with coronavirus aid MORE (D-Conn.) sent a letter to Labor Secretary Eugene Scalia Eugene ScaliaFederal litigator files complaint alleging Labor secretary abused his authority Hispanic Caucus asks for Department of Labor meeting on COVID in meatpacking plants Making a difference in the age of COVID-19 MORE saying the guidelines “violate congressional intent” and ”contradict the plain language” of the law.

Scalia said in a statement Wednesday the law gave “unprecedented paid leave benefits to American workers affected by the virus, while ensuring that businesses are reimbursed.”

Paid leave was one of the most contentious aspects of the massive stimulus bill, as Democrats pushed for more leave for employees, delaying the Senate vote on the package.