We Stand With Candidates Who Support Families and the Economy by Supporting Paid Family Leave

Every working person in the United States – no matter where they live or what job they hold – should be able to see their baby’s first smile, hold the hand of a dying parent or get the medical care they need without facing serious financial hardship.

Yet, today, without a national paid family leave plan in the United States, more than 100 million working people are left behind. We can — and must — do better. That’s why the National Partnership for Women & Families Action Fund salutes more than 200 true champions for working families.

Paid leave champions* who ran for U.S. Congress in each state in 2018 are listed here.

*Who qualifies as a paid leave champion?

  • Federal lawmakers running for re-election in 2018 whose record in the U.S. House or Senate includes support for the Family And Medical Insurance Leave (FAMILY) Act, which would create a pro-women, pro-family, pro-small business national paid family and medical leave program modeled on successful state policies; and

  • Candidates for federal office whose current campaign platform includes a commitment to support a national paid leave plan that includes new parents as well as people dealing with serious personal or family health issues.

We believe that a candidate or lawmaker’s commitment to paid leave shows they support empowering women and families, strengthening businesses and building a strong economy that works for everyone. We also believe that paid leave limited only to new parents isn’t enough – everyone needs access to time to care, whether for a new baby, a seriously ill or injured loved one, a wounded service member or their own serious health issue.

Voters: Find out about paid leave in your state here. Learn more about paid leave champions Abby Finkenauer (IA-1) here and Lauren Underwood (IL-14) here.

Candidates: Check out the latest polling and messaging advice and read a policy brief on paid leave here. Even better, add your support for national paid family and medical leave to your website and your campaign materials today, and we’ll look forward to working together to pass paid leave in the 116th U.S. Congress!