Family Values @ Work Applauds the Passage of Build Back Better in the House

(WASHINGTON, DC)––Family Values @ Work is a movement network of grassroots coalitions in more than two dozen states working to win paid family and medical leave, earned sick and safe days, and affordable, high-quality childcare at the state and national levels. Today, Executive Director Josephine Kalipeni released the following statement celebrating the passage of the Build Back Better proposal with paid family and medical leave included:

“The Family Values @ Work network is thrilled that the House passed the Build Back Better proposal with paid family and medical leave included. This significant step forward for workers and families in this country is due to the unwavering commitment and steadfast work of our grassroots leaders across the country. In addition to paid leave, this legislation has monumental investments for working and caregiving families––including child tax credit, housing, and climate provisions.

This is the first time a permanent paid leave policy has been passed on the federal level. It is significant for our allies in Congress, whose unyielding leadership supported this work, and for working families who are that much closer to receiving the time to care they have earned. 

Having paid family and medical leave would mean that workers and their families would not have to choose between buying groceries or taking time to heal or care for a loved one. And it would mean that the families most impacted by this nation’s systemic racism––women-, LGBTQ-, and BIPOC- led––would have a foothold in their work to gain financial security. Coupled with BBB’s investments in childcare, the House proved its commitment to the American people and its desire to support the very engine of this economy, our workers. We hope their colleagues in the Senate will follow suit.

What’s to come is crucial. The Senate already has a blueprint for how this nation can show up for its workers and their families: the paid leave programs in nine states and the District of Columbia, won by our network of activists.

Family Values @ Work is grateful for the ongoing work of our network, and the dedication of our allies in the House like House Leadership, Ways & Means Committee Members, and the entire caucus that championed paid family and medical leave. Even as we celebrate this step forward, we are continuing to organize and mobilize to hold our Senators accountable to us all. The House vote is won, but the work is not done.”

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