Each week the AIT community receives #TakeActionTuesday with tips for creating impactful change in their community and beyond. From new online tools, to pending policy updates, subscribe today to make sure you don’t miss these action-oriented recommendations.
The United States is the only industrialized country that does not have a national paid family leave policy and one of only two countries in the world that does not guarantee paid maternity leave. According to the United States Department of Labor, currently only 17 percent of Americans get paid family leave through their employers.
In an effort to solve this, last month, Democratic Senator Kirsten Gillibrand and Rep. Rosa DeLauro reintroduced The FAMILY (Family and Medical Insurance Leave) Act which mandates up to 12 weeks of paid leave for a personal serious health condition, a new child, or caring for a serious health condition of a child, partner, or parent.
Last week, Republican Senators Mike Lee and Joni Ernst proposed their own version of a paid family leave bill called The CRADLE (Child Rearing and Development Leave Empowerment) Act, which is an individual voluntary program that allows for up to three months of paid leave following the birth or adoption of a child by opting to delay one’s social security benefits.
This #TakeActionTuesday, learn more about the proposed legislation and contact your representatives to share your views.
- Get Informed. Learn about both the Democrats’ FAMILY Act and the Republicans’ CRADLE Act and determine which policy aligns with your personal views. You can also learn more about The Family and Medical Leave Act, the current law regarding unpaid leave.
- Share Your Story. When advocating on a particular issue, including information about how proposed legislation will impact you and your community will help to influence your legislators. See our personal storytelling template to get started. Make sure to note which bill you are referencing when you contact your legislators.
- Act Local. Six states and D.C. have passed paid family leave laws, and several more states have or plan to introduce paid family leave bills in the state legislature this year. Find out if your state is one of them, learn about the proposed policy, and contact your state representatives to share your views. Our action center can help you easily find and contact your state and federal representatives.
What are your views on paid family leave? Tell us at info@aitogether.org!
