Statement: House Bipartisan Paid Leave Working Group Framework

Family Values @ Work and our Network welcome the continued momentum from the House Bipartisan Paid Leave Working Group, with the release of their draft policy framework. It is great to see continued bipartisan engagement on the creation of a national paid family and medical leave program (PFML). For far too long, the false choice between work and care has been ignored or politicized. This is a clear demonstration that our advocacy work is working and that we are closer in alignment across party lines than ever before and that a national program that works for all workers is just on the horizon. We are eager to work closely with both the working group and the new bicameral, bipartisan group to ensure that the expertise from many years of state PFML wins by our Network is referenced and reflected in the final legislation. This legislation has already successfully been passed in fourteen states, many on a bipartisan basis. We encourage all workers and caregivers to submit comments and contact the members of the bicameral, bipartisan group. Our goal as leaders of the movement for PFML is to ensure that an equitable and accessible paid leave program is available to all workers: No matter where they work, where they live, or who they love.