Statement of Molly Day, Executive Director, Paid Leave for the U.S. (PL+US) on the U.S. House passage of the Build Back Better bill including paid family and medical leave

Nov 19 2021

Statement of Molly Day, Executive Director, Paid Leave for the U.S. (PL+US) on the U.S. House passage of the Build Back Better bill including paid family and medical leave:

"The U.S. House just delivered a historic victory for working families with the inclusion of a national paid family and medical leave program in the Build Back Better Act. Now, it is up to Senator Schumer and Senate Democrats to make good on their stated commitments to working families and ensure paid leave is included in the final Build Back Better bill.

"There has never been a more important and urgent time to pass paid leave. Paid leave will make our families, businesses, and our national economy stronger and help us to truly build back better and more equitably. Our champions in the House, including Speaker Pelosi and Ways and Means Chairman Neal, deserve tremendous credit for their tenacity and commitment to working people and their consistent vision and hard work to pass paid leave. These leaders and the entirety of the House listened and delivered for parents, caregivers, and the 100 million Americans currently without a single day of paid leave.

"In the days and weeks ahead, we'll work hand-in-hand with our allies in the Senate, the White House, and the national advocacy movement to ensure that paid leave remains in the final legislation that makes it to President Biden's desk. The Senate, specifically Senate Moderates, cannot turn their back on the urgent needs of women, communities of color, and every working family in this country. The time to take action and pass paid leave is now, not later.

“With the Build Back Better Act that just passed the House, the U.S. Senate has a historic opportunity to deliver transformative, once-in-a-generation change, including the passage of our country’s first national paid family and medical leave program, and we’re committed to doing everything we can to ensure they do.” -- Molly Day, Executive Director, Paid Leave for the U.S. (PL+US)