From Family Values @Work (https://familyvaluesatwork.org/):
One thing is clear: Lawmakers can no longer ignore the needs of family caregivers. Yet, several senators are looking for co-sponsors for paid leave bills that leave too many of us out in the cold. These bills call themselves “family leave,” but would be limited only to parents of a new child. Children need us not just when they’re born. And we need time as well to care for ailing parents or other loved ones.
In fact, of folks taking leave through the existing (unpaid) Family and Medical Leave Act, only 21% are taking leave to welcome a new child. This means that an astounding 79% of families would be left out by any proposal that seeks to limit paid leave to new parents only.
We need you to join us at https://familyvaluesatwork.salsalabs.org/fvawcagforfamilyact/index.html in telling your senators and representatives in Congress that the only acceptable bills are COMPREHENSIVE and HOLISTIC ones that PRIORITIZE being there for our families, no matter what.
We are also concerned that funding for any paid leave plan be feasible and sustainable. We must get our leaders in Congress and the Senate to understand that proposals to fund paid leave through cuts to Social Security Disability Insurance or Social Security retirement benefits are unacceptable. Asking people with disabilities or retirees to pay the cost for a new paid leave program will not work—in fact, six states and Washington, DC, have already shown the way by implementing paid leave programs without taking from the future of their workers.
Our senators and representatives need to hear from us. We know that strong families build strong communities, and the wrong paid leave policy can do more harm than good.
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