Pressley joins Paid Leave for All and colleagues in a day of action for a nationwide paid family and medical leave policy

New survey shows: Paid vacation is the most important issue for 4 out of 5 women across the country

Press conference video | Press conference photos | Reception video

WASHINGTON – Yesterday, Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07) joined Paid Leave for All, Glamour, colleagues and advocates for a day of action to mark the important milestones in the ongoing fight for a national paid family and medical leave policy. Paid Leave for All and Glamour announced growing support for their demands that policymakers finally commit to passing paid leave and giving all working people the right to provide for themselves and their families without sacrificing their pay. They also released more new research and important new initiatives.

At a press conference on Capitol Hill, Rep. Pressley shared her experiences caring for her mother during her battle with leukemia, spoke about the need to build a just America that cares for its citizens, and called on Congress to pass a national paid leave program. Rep. Pressley also attended an evening event with coalition members to celebrate the progress made and thank partners for their commitment to paid leave and a new vision for families in America.

“It’s time for us to build a fair America that cares for its citizens and supports every family through big changes and important life events – and that starts with passing paid leave for all,” said Rep. Pressley. “This is popular and necessary public policy, and I am grateful to the Paid Leave for All coalition, Glamour, and everyone who has shared their stories and campaigned for a day where we live up to our ideals. As my mother’s former caregiver during her battle with leukemia, this work is very personal to me, and I am honored to be part of this growing movement and labor of love.”

A video of the press conference is available here and photos are available here. For a video of Rep. Pressley’s speech during the evening event, click here.

According to a national poll conducted exclusively for Glamour by YouGov, four in five women said paid family and medical leave was important to their voting decision in this year’s presidential election. Broken down along party lines, 89% of Democratic-leaning voters and 68% of Republican-leaning voters said the issue was important to their voting decision. The poll also found that nearly half of American women returned to work within six weeks of giving birth.

“The path to lowering costs for families and building a stronger, fairer economy for all starts with paid leave,” said Democratic Whip Katherine Clark. “It’s time for us to follow the example of all our partner countries and guarantee Americans the support they need to live a quality life – where you don’t lose your job if you take time off to care for your loved ones. It’s time for an economy that works for working families.”

“I started the Dads Caucus because fathers need to do more to fight for policies like paid leave that support families. I know firsthand how difficult not having paid leave can be for families who have to work hard to make ends meet, because as a child I got pneumonia and my parents had to take shifts off to care for me. It nearly bankrupted my family. Now it pains me to hear similar stories from my district and across the country, because it doesn’t have to be this way,” said Congressman Jimmy Gomez.

“The majority of Americans agree that the impossible choice between the salary that feeds a family and the care it receives must be abolished,” Richard E. Neal, ranking member of the Ways and Means Committee, said: “With the help of Paid Leave for All, Glamour, and the fifty thousand people who signed this petition, the momentum is clear that paid leave is needed to open up opportunities and build a society that cares for one another. Last Congress, the Appropriations Committee was closer than ever to making this happen, passing legislation that provides 12 weeks of universal, comprehensive paid family and medical leave. Next Congress, it will go all the way to President Biden’s desk.”

“Without universal paid leave, millions of Americans must choose between their livelihoods and the health and well-being of themselves and their families. Unfortunately, the United States continues to have the sad distinction of being the only industrialized nation without this important program,” said Senator Gillibrand. “I was proud to join this strong group of lawmakers and advocates to change that. We have legislation that would establish America’s first national paid family and medical leave program, and I will continue to work to pass it for the future of our families, our middle class, and our country.”

“Millions of Americans work hard every day to figure out how to care for their aging parents, care for a sick family member, or care for a newborn without risking their jobs and livelihoods. No one in this country should be forced to make that decision,” said Senator Tina Smith. “We must pass paid family and medical leave so that everyone has the freedom and opportunity to care for their families in the way that works best for them, without sacrificing their economic stability and their lives.”

“It is high time that working families received the financial security they need to provide for their loved ones,” Said Senator Ron Wyden. “We owe it not only to the fifty thousand people who signed a petition and made their voices heard, but to every single parent forced to juggle bills and family. Thanks to Paid Leave for All and Glamour, we can finally begin laying the groundwork for putting families first across the country.”

“In this election year, we want to make it very clear that issues like paid family and medical leave, care – these issues like freedom and family – are of the utmost importance to voters from all walks of life,” said Dawn Huckelbridge, director of Paid Leave for All. “As our petition says, ‘The lack of paid leave has human consequences, and families pay for it.’ This disproportionately affects women, especially women of color. Women will decide this election. And this year, Paid Leave for All Action is not just relying on them, it is investing in them.”

“Every day that our country does not have a comprehensive federal paid family and medical leave program is a day that our economy and our hearts suffer,” said Kristin Rowe-Finkbeiner, Executive Director and CEO of MomsRising. “Moms are grateful to Glamour and Paid Leave for All, as well as all members of Congress who support the demand for paid leave. We especially need it now when our reproductive freedoms are under such extreme attack. Moms know that the same Republican leaders who are taking away our basic reproductive rights are standing in the way of the health infrastructure policies – including paid family and medical leave – that our country needs. A federal paid leave program would be a win-win for our families, businesses and the economy.”

Throughout her tenure in Congress, Representative Pressley has led congressional efforts to extend and expand emergency paid leave protections.

• In October 2021, Rep. Pressley and her colleagues called on President Biden to defend comprehensive paid family and medical leave provisions in ongoing negotiations on the Build Back Better Act.
• In April 2021, Rep. Pressley introduced the COVID-19 Safe Birthing Act, bold legislation to provide pregnant women with critical protections and access to healthcare during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• In May 2020, Representatives Pressley and Haley Stevens (MI-22) led a group of 17 new members of Congress calling on House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to expand paid family and medical leave under the HEROES Act.
• In April 2020, Representatives Pressley and DeLauro, along with Senators Gillibrand (D-NY) and Patty Murray (D-WA), introduced the Providing Americans Insured Days of Leave Act (PAID Leave Act), a comprehensive emergency paid sick leave and paid family and medical leave bill to provide additional financial support to our nation’s most vulnerable workers and businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic and future health emergencies.
• In addition, Rep. Pressley has repeatedly called for expanded paid family and medical leave to be included in federal COVID-19 relief and infrastructure packages.
• Rep. Pressley also called for strong federal investments in child care, living wages for educators, support for the Head Start program, paid leave, and other measures to support families across the country.