Central Louisiana News

The bipartisan Paid Family Leave Working Group, consisting of Co-Chairs Chrissy Houlahan (D-PA) and Stephanie Bice (R-OK) and Representatives Julia Letlow (R-LA), Colin Allred (D-TX), Mariannette Miller-Meeks, M.D. (R-IA), and Hayley Stevens (D-MI), has made significant progress since its launch in January of this year. The group has held six Member-level meetings with experts from both policy and business sectors, focusing on finding solutions to support American families through paid family leave.

During these closed-door meetings, the working group discussed various topics related to paid family leave and explored potential legislative initiatives. Now, having completed the six-part briefing series, the group is preparing to move forward with Member-level conversations on a legislative framework to be announced later this year.

"Paid family leave remains a major priority as we continue working to support American families," said the Paid Family Leave Working Group members. "Our bipartisan approach reflects our commitment to finding enduring solutions, and we look forward to sharing what we've learned and our recommendations for next steps."

The importance of paid family leave has garnered attention not only in the House but also in the Senate, where a similar bipartisan group has been established to advance paid family leave policies for more Americans.

Throughout the working group's meetings, valuable insights have been gained from various sources. Former Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT) and former Republican HELP Committee Staffer Stephanie Monroe, who played instrumental roles in passing the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) 30 years ago, joined the group to share their perspectives on the history of FMLA.

Representatives from states such as Colorado, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Washington, and the District of Columbia also contributed by providing insights on the lessons learned from their successful efforts to enact paid leave legislation at the state level.

The working group further engaged with representatives from the private insurance industry to discuss the potential role they could play in implementing paid leave policies. Small business leaders were also convened to express their hopes and concerns regarding the impact of a federal paid leave policy on staffing and operating costs.

Additionally, the working group hosted large companies such as The Home Depot and IBM, along with trade associations, to gain insights into their current paid leave policies and how a federal framework could be designed to accommodate the needs of different industries.

The final meeting of the working group focused on the intersection of caregiving and paid leave, recognizing the impact of related issues such as childcare and senior care on the overall paid leave landscape.

In their pursuit of paid family leave legislation, the working group sent a letter to then Speaker Kevin McCarthy and Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries earlier this year, urging the consideration of paid leave legislation during the 118th Congress.

The bipartisan Paid Family Leave Working Group's efforts have not gone unnoticed. The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, CNN, and Forbes have all featured discussions on the group's work and its importance in bringing more paid leave to more Americans.

Supported by the Bipartisan Policy Center and other organizations, the Paid Family Leave Working Group is dedicated to exploring federal paid family leave policies and finding enduring policy solutions to benefit American families.

In conclusion, the bipartisan Paid Family Leave Working Group has successfully completed its briefing series and is now preparing for the next steps in advancing paid family leave legislation. With a commitment to finding enduring solutions, the working group's efforts are focused on supporting American families through the provision of paid family leave.

Click this link to access more information: https://letlow.house.gov/media/press-releases/bipartisan-paid-family-leave-working-group-completes-briefing-series-prepares