Contact: press@paidleaveforall.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
On the 30th anniversary of the Family and Medical Leave Act, we applaud President Biden and Vice President Harris for reaffirming their commitment to passing paid family and medical leave, and for taking actions to expand access to unpaid and paid leave. A national paid leave program would be transformational. With other care policies it would yield millions of jobs, billions in wages, and trillions in GDP. It would boost our public health, foster greater racial and gender equity. It would allow small businesses to compete and working families to thrive.
The FMLA was a historic accomplishment, for the first time guaranteeing millions of people the right to care for themselves and their families without risking their jobs. It was an important first step toward the paid leave all working people need and deserve. But 30 years later we remain one of the only countries in the world that does not guarantee any form of paid leave for its workers, and we cannot afford to wait any longer.
The paid leave movement is stronger than ever, and our momentum is multiplying. In just the first month of the year, we’ve seen state paid leave wins and a new bipartisan working group and Dads’ Caucus launch in Congress. Public support is at record high—and the Administration’s renewed push can impact every working family in America.
In a time of both division and recovery as a country, paid leave is an issue that unites us and that humanizes us. We thank the President and Vice President for not only supporting the policy, but sharing their own stories of healing and caregiving. Every one of us has them. We look forward to working with the Administration, the growing number of champions and supporters in Congress, and our partners across the country to deliver paid leave for all working people.
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The Paid Leave for All campaign is the national campaign of organizations leading the fight for paid family and medical leave for all working people.