Congressional leaders from both parties have come together to advance the cause of paid leave for American workers. Last week, the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee unanimously approved the FAMILY Act, a bill that would provide paid family and medical leave insurance for all eligible workers. The bill, which was introduced by Senators Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) and Marco Rubio (R-FL), would create a national fund to provide up to 12 weeks of paid leave to cover major life events such as the arrival of a baby or an unexpected medical emergency.
The House is looking to build on the momentum of the HELP Committee’s approval. This week, Republican and Democratic members of the House Ways and Means Committee launched a bipartisan effort to advance paid leave legislation. The members have laid out a blueprint for legislation that would create a voluntary system of paid leave for individuals and businesses. This system would give individuals the opportunity to receive paid leave benefits while allowing employers to participate in the program, as well.
The efforts of both the Senate and House to advance paid leave legislation are a major step forward in providing workers with much-needed support. As more individuals and families face hardship due to illnesses, childcare needs, and other extenuating circumstances, the need for paid leave has grown increasingly urgent. The bipartisan efforts to introduce legislation will go a long way in helping to create a more secure and prosperous economic future for all.
