Family Values @ Work Statement on State of the Union

“It is encouraging to see so many politicians on both sides of the aisle recognize the need for a national paid leave program. With any legislation, however, the devil is in the details, and the plan proposed by the administration to date is devilish indeed. We need paid family and medical leave that values all care and every family, with a fair and sustainable funding method. The plan proposed by the administration thus far addresses leave only for parents of a new child, excluding the 75 percent of leave-takers who need time to care for their own serious illness or that of a loved one. It relies on funding through state unemployment insurance funds and offers amounts that are too small for most families, a formula that would result in cuts to those who get laid off. We need solutions that eliminate, not exacerbate, existing disparities by income, race and gender.

“The U.S. is an outlier when it comes to paid leave. As we work to catch up with the rest of the world, it’s important to ensure a decent floor that meets the “Triple A” test: accessible, affordable and adequate for all workers.

“Fortunately, we know what that looks like and Congress will soon have a bill before it – the FAMILY Act – which will deliver a workable model. The FAMILY Act follows the lead of the states which have already successfully implemented paid leave programs that work for employees and business owners alike. It rests on a sustainable and cost-effective funding base, a social insurance model that pools small contributions from employees and employers so that workers can afford the time they need to heal or care for a loved one.

“Today marks the 26th anniversary of the first and only family leave legislation in the U.S., the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA). While a great first step, it leaves out 40 percent of the workforce; millions more who are covered by cannot afford the time, because it is unpaid.

“We look forward to working with political leaders from both parties to pass the FAMILY Act. As we work for meaningful paid leave, we will continue to call on this administration to stop hurting women and their families, who have been devastated by a host of this administration’s policies: the massive separation of families and daily terror and uncertainty for immigrant families, the attacks on women’s access to contraceptives and safe abortions, the tax cut that is adding to already grotesque inequities, the continuing assault on the social safety net, and the onslaught against democracy.”