Calls for Passage of Paid Family and Medical Leave, the FAMILY Act
WASHINGTON, DC--Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) released the following statement celebrating the 21st anniversary of the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) being signed by President Clinton. DeLauro’s home state of Connecticut passed the first-ever state family and medical leave legislation in 1989.
In December, DeLauro introduced the Family and Medical Insurance Leave (FAMILY) Act with Senator Kirsten Gillibrand. The FAMILY Act would establish national paid family and medical leave so that all workers in America would have access to paid family and medical leave. Eight out of ten eligible workers cannot afford to take FMLA leave, making the FAMILY Act a necessity for millions of Americans. The FAMILY Act is a key part of “When Women Succeed, America Succeeds: An Economic Agenda for Women and Families.”
“Workers have used the leave provided for by the FMLA over 100 million times – to care for their children, to care for sick or injured family members, or just to get better themselves. The FMLA transformed American workplaces for the better. They are more family-friendly, more productive, and more efficient because, 21 years ago, Congress acted in a bipartisan fashion on behalf of employees, employers, and American families.
“Congress needs to act again. The FMLA is unpaid leave, and eight out of 10 eligible workers cannot afford to take it. The FAMILY Act is a long-overdue, common-sense idea that families have been clamoring for and whose time has come. Being a working parent should not mean choosing between your job and taking care of yourself and your family.
“For women to succeed, and for America to succeed, we need to ensure that families can earn the support they need. People want to have strong families, be good parents, and be successful at their jobs. Without that opportunity, families, businesses and the economy will suffer.”
