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Dear John, In response to the COVID pandemic which began in early 2020, Congress acted quickly to pass temporary paid family and medical leave assistance through the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA). While those provisions have ended, America has a chance finally to permanently end its status as one of the few nations in the world without paid family and medical leave. The House Ways and Means Committee is scheduled to meet tomorrow to markup spending programs under its authority of approximately $1 trillion to be included in the overall $3.5 trillion reconciliation package. While the markup is expected to be lengthy, the Democratic majority is expected to support a paid family and medical leave package that is largely consistent with our principles, outlined here with our partners in the Small Business for Paid Leave coalition. | |
Currently, only 21 percent of U.S. workers have access to paid family leave through an employer, and only 40 percent have access to short-term disability insurance. Nearly one in four employed mothers return to work within two weeks of giving birth and one in five retirees leave the workforce earlier than planned to care for an ill family member. Our current laws aren’t keeping up with the needs of our families or a 21st century economy. It is important that all House Ways and Means Committee members hear from business, whether they are inclined to support the paid family and medical leave provisions or not.
You can leave a message for the committee at (202) 225-3625. The list of members on the Committee can be found here. | |
