Washington, D.C. – Today, President Biden included paid family and medical leave in the 2025 budget. This is a great victory after decades of building power with our Network at the state level and galvanizing that into federal power. Our work not only led to the inclusion of the comprehensive care agenda in President Biden’s 2024 State of the Union address but also in his budget.
“Budgets are moral documents and the President put working families right in the center of his budget. This budget directly addresses the needs of working people and small businesses,” said Family Values @ Work, Federal Strategy Director, Sammy Chavin-Grant. “We are glad that President Biden continues prioritizing working families. We urge Congress to move the President’s budget forward and make paid family and medical leave, paid sick and safe days, a reality for all!”
The President’s budget expands access to paid family and medical leave and proposes paid sick days. Family Values @ Work’s network knows what effective paid leave looks like. Our network has led the way in establishing the standard for good paid leave that meets the needs of modern families with paid family and medical leave programs in 14 states, and paid sick and safe days in more than 60 locations. Our best practices and learnings have also been used to inform the federal FAMILY and Healthy Families Act.
The budget has three key components related to paid leave: establishing a national, comprehensive paid family and medical leave program, investing in a program at the Department of Labor’s Women’s Bureau to help States expand access to paid leave benefits, and calling on Congress to take action on paid sick and safe days. This proposal builds directly on the Family Values @ Work network’s expertise and momentum. Critically, this proposal recognizes the distinct difference between paid family and medical leave and paid sick and safe days, and includes the need for safe leave.
Without the 21 years of state-based advocacy, education, and momentum at the state level, we would not have arrived at this moment where these issues are taking center stage federally. Family Values @ Work remains committed to working with leaders of all parties to realize a future with paid family and medical leave and paid sick and safe days for all.
