I want to talk about something that's been heavy on my mind: the many ways this country continues to fail parents and our children.
I want you to think about this: The United States is the only industrialized country, and one of only eight U.N. nations, that does not guarantee paid family leave for new parents or caregivers. We cannot call ourselves a nation based on "family values" if we fail to provide even the most basic necessities for children and new families.
This is an issue that's personal to me. My husband and I raised two amazing daughters– who are now two amazing young women– but it wasn't easy. When I was pregnant with my oldest daughter I suffered from seizures so bad that I had to be rushed to the hospital for an emergency Cesarean delivery. I cannot imagine having to return to work just days after I almost lost my life, but that is a choice many Americans don't have the luxury to make.
John, staying home with a new child or taking care of a sick family member should not be a luxury granted only to those who can afford it. Early care for infants has a profound impact on a child's development throughout their life, and has an immeasurable positive impact on society as a whole.
It's also an issue of justice. Because of systemic racism, families of color – particularly women – have less wealth to draw upon and are far less likely to be able to give up work to care for a child or family member.
And because women are also far more likely to be primary caretakers of children and ill family members, paid family leave is also about taking meaningful steps toward workplace equity in this country.
Republicans in the House want to tell you we can't afford to fund paid family leave, as they continue to vote against it in legislation like the American Families Plan and Build Back Better.
As costs of healthcare and childcare continue to skyrocket, squeezing working families at the expense of our children, what we really need to ask ourselves is "how can we afford not to?"
