Friend,

In my time in the House, I've led a landmark effort to grant federal employees 12 weeks of paid family leave. And I helped pass the American Rescue Plan, which includes paid sick and family leave – a necessity as the pandemic has exposed the myriad ways family and career intersect.

These efforts aren't just policy – for me, they're personal.

I had my first child, Molly, as an Air Force engineer. I was entitled to six weeks of maternity leave, but there was a six-month waiting list for on-base child care – and because I was living in an expensive area, I couldn't afford the civilian alternative. I chose to leave the Air Force in part to better care for my family – a decision no one should have to make.

The expectation was that most active duty service members were men, and that their spouses – mostly women – would stay home to take care of their children. But that wasn't my situation, and that's not the situation of millions of families across the United States.

Paid family leave is an investment in our economic growth. As we recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, we have a responsibility to seize this transformational opportunity in the history of our country – to make our economy more accessible, fair, and equitable for all Americans. 

Paid family leave is a key part of that – but I need to know if you're with me on this, friend, and I still need 107 responses from 20712 before midnight tonight to shape my strategy: 

Thanks for letting me know where you stand on this, friend. I appreciate your input so much. 

There is work to be done, 
Chrissy