Trump Proposes “World’s Worst Family Leave Policy”
The Haves and Have Nots of Paid Family Leave: A Report by PL+US: Paid Leave for the United States
The Trump administration officially released its federal budget proposal today, including a provision for 6 weeks of partially paid parental leave. It stands out in a profoundly anti-family proposal that slashes programs including medicaid, nutritional assistance, and child care tax credits.
But Trump is proposing the world’s worst parental leave program — if enacted the US would still be behind 96% of all nations on parental leave. Americans deserve better. You can read my op-ed in Time that describes in detail why this program falls so short of what is needed.
Many Americans don’t know that paid family leave is a tried and tested policy internationally and in the states — and haven’t yet thought about what is truly needed to help families during times of medical crisis. You can help us grow public understanding by sharing these key facts:
There is an active proposal in Congress already for paid family leave –The FAMILY Act allows 12 weeks of paid time off and is available for parents and for family caregivers. If the administration wants to meaningfully advance the conversation about paid family leave, they should start the conversation there.
Families need real relief, not flimsy proposals that exacerbate the paid leave gap. Read my op-ed at Time, share with friends — and let me know what you think.
Let’s win this!
Katie
Executive Director and Founder, PL+US