Major social policy achievements in this country have never been easy. Yet, history shows that when both sides express a willingness to compromise, great policies can emerge. Our elected officials are now facing one such historic opportunity. It is time for them to pass legislation that creates a national paid parental leave program.
Why now? Because both Republicans and Democrats in Congress have demonstrated an openness toward it, and President Trump supports it. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) reintroduced the FAMILY Act last week. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) in conjunction with Representative Ann Wagner (R-MO) offered a counterproposal last year in the Economic Security for New Parents Act. Other Republican Senators have hinted that they are considering alternative new bills on paid parental leave. Perhaps most importantly, President Trump, with the encouragement of Ivanka Trump, signaled in his State of the Union a desire to move forward.
Read Full Article »