DeLauro Applauds Ways and Means Hearing on Paid Leave

WASHINGTON, DC (May 8, 2019) — Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (CT-03) today released the following statement after the House Ways and Means Committee held its first hearing on paid leave.

"Today's Ways and Means Committee hearing on paid family and medical leave is an important milestone. After many years on the margins, the issue of paid leave is finally at the center of the public discourse. I could not be more proud that House Democrats are taking action on this important issue and building on the momentum created by working people across the country and successful state paid leave initiatives."

"The FAMILY Act sets out the gold standard for paid leave for working people. It would ensure that millions of families that cannot afford to lose several weeks' worth of wages in order to care for an ill loved one or the birth of a child never have to make that impossible choice. Any proposal that stops short at parental leave only, does not cover at least up to 12 weeks, does not have a stable financing mechanism, or delays workers' Social Security benefits, is insufficient and will not actually help workers. We can do much better for the people of this country, and we must. That is why I will keep fighting until the FAMILY Act is the law of the land."

First introduced by DeLauro in 2013, the FAMILY Act would:

• Provide up to 12 weeks of partial wages to working people who need to take time away from their jobs to address a serious personal or family health issue, to care for a newborn or newly adopted child, or for circumstances arising from a loved one's military deployment or serious injury;
• Be self-funded through payroll contributions from employers and employees of just two-tenths of 1% each (two cents per $10 in wages), or about $4 a week total, split between employers and employees;
• Guarantee portable coverage so that workers who have multiple jobs, change jobs, or are self-employed are provided with the same security as traditional employees; and
• Provide 66% wage replacement, capped at $4,000 a month.