By Congresswoman Stephanie Bice
As a mother, I understand the challenges working families face. I was fortunate to have paid leave when my daughters were born, but many American families do not have access to this benefit. Too many parents are forced to choose between caring for a newborn and earning a paycheck. That is a choice no family should have to make.
This is why I have made paid family leave one of my major priorities in Congress. As Co-Chair of the Bipartisan House Paid Family Leave Working Group alongside Rep. Chrissy Houlahan, I have worked across the aisle to advance practical, conservative solutions that support both families and employers without burdening the taxpayers through a costly entitlement program.
Our legislation, the More Paid Leave for More Americans Act, takes a state driven approach rather than imposing a one-size-fits-all federal mandate. Every state has different needs, and our bill gives states the flexibility to develop paid leave programs that work best for their workers, employers, and communities. It also establishes a framework for states to learn from one another and build programs that fit their unique needs. Importantly, this legislation is both pro-family and pro-business, allowing employers who already provide this benefit to continue.
We have seen real momentum behind this effort. Earlier this year, a subcommittee of the House Committee on Education and Workforce held a hearing to examine paid family leave and discuss how Congress can expand access while preserving flexibility for states and employers. Members of the subcommittee heard testimony from policy experts, workforce leaders, and employers on the challenges working families face and how state-based paid leave policies can support both employees and businesses.
That momentum continued with the introduction of companion legislation in the Senate. I applaud Senator John Boozman and Senator Kirsten Gillibrand for their leadership and partnership in advancing this effort. Having bipartisan legislation in both the House and Senate is an important step toward building the support needed to move this proposal forward. I look forward to continuing to work with my colleagues in both chambers to advance practical solutions that strengthen families while giving states the flexibility to determine what works best for them.
Republicans should continue leading on policies that prioritize families, encourage work, and expand opportunity. The More Paid Leave for More Americans Act reflects those principles by empowering states, instead of Washington. It also recognizes that supporting working parents and maintaining a strong workforce go hand in hand. I will continue working to move this legislation forward because these commonsense reforms benefit families, employers, and our economy.
