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Statement

Moms Urge Congress to Pass the FAMILY Act and the Healthy Families Act Now!

May 17, 2023
Workplace Justice, Paid Sick Days, Paid Family & Medical Leave

Lisa Lederer, 202/371-1996

Statement from leaders of MomsRising, the national online and on-the-ground organization of more than one million mothers and their families, on the reintroduction of the FAMILY (Family and Medical Insurance Leave) Act and the Healthy Families Act in both chambers of Congress today:

“No one should have to choose between a paycheck and holding a hospitalized child’s hand. No one should be forced to return to work just weeks after giving birth. No one should lose income while recovering from a serious medical condition. And no one should be forced to go to work with stomach flu or strep throat. But moms, families and caregivers face those and other impossible choices every day because Congress has failed to pass national paid leave and paid sick days policies. That must change. 

“America’s moms are counting on Congress to pass the FAMILY Act, which would finally create the comprehensive paid leave program families and our economy need to succeed and thrive, and the Healthy Families Act, to guarantee working people paid sick and safe days. We will fight for the speedy passage of both these bills, because we know the enormous benefit they would offer to families, working people, businesses and our economy. 

“Paid family and medical leave and paid sick leave are top priorities for America’s moms and families, and they should be top priorities for every member of Congress. The FAMILY Act and the Healthy Families Act must become law.”

– Statement of Kristin Rowe-Finkbeiner, Executive Director and CEO, MomsRising

“We cannot build an economy that works for working families without paid leave and paid sick days. As the pandemic turns endemic and businesses struggle to recruit and retain workers, that’s more true than ever. The FAMILY Act and the Healthy Families Act are smart, long overdue bills that would help keep parents and caregivers in the workforce and strengthen our economy. 

“Paid leave and paid sick days are broadly popular, and a growing number of states and municipalities have implemented successful policies. It’s past time for the federal government to do so too with programs that cover all private sector workers. Access to paid leave and paid sick days shouldn’t depend on your zip code, or your employer. Everyone deserves time to care for their loved ones and recover from illness themselves without risking their jobs or financial security.

“The FAMILY Act and the Healthy Families Act would make our country healthier and stronger. We’re counting on Congress to get this done.”

– Statement of Ruth Martin, Senior Vice President & Chief Workplace Justice Officer, MomsRising

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MomsRising.org is an on-the-ground and online grassroots organization of more than a million people who are working to increase family economic security, decrease discrimination against women and moms, and to build a nation where businesses and families can thrive. Established in 2006, MomsRising and its members are organizing and speaking out to improve public policy and to change the national dialogue on issues that are critically important to America’s families, including criminal justice reform, immigration policy reform, and gun safety. MomsRising is working for paid family and medical leave, affordable, high quality childcare and early learning, and for an end to the wage and hiring discrimination which penalizes women — particularly moms and women of color — and so many others. MomsRising advocates for access to healthy food for all kids, health care for all, earned sick days, and breastfeeding rights so that all children can have a healthy start. MomsRising maintains a Spanish language website: MamásConPoder.org. Sign up online at www.MomsRising.org — and follow us on our blog, and on Twitter and Facebook.