Larson Calls for Action on Paid FMLA

Washington, D.C. – Today, the Ways and Means Committee held a hearing on Paid Family and Medical Leave. In his remarks, Rep. John B. Larson (CT-01) highlighted Connecticut's legacy on Family and Medical Leave. Connecticut was the first state in the country to pass a Family and Medical Leave Act in 1988. Larson, then a state Senator, was the author of the legislation and worked closely with the late Dr. Edward Zigler and Dr. Matia Finn-Stevenson with the Yale Center for Child Development to develop a policy that worked for families. Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT) led the effort to pass the Family and Medical Leave Act at the national level.

"I'm immensely proud of Connecticut's long history of leadership on Family and Medical Leave, and now Paid Family and Medical Leave. Today's hearing laid the case of why we need to move forward and pass Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro's FAMILY Act to ensure paid leave for working families," said Larson. "I was encouraged to hear the Republican witness, Rachel Greszler, warn against the Republican paid leave plans that propose dipping into Social Security to pay for leave, as this would only further our nation's retirement crisis. As we heard today from our witnesses – which included working parents and small business owners - we cannot wait to make paid leave a reality. I look forward to working with my colleagues on this issue."

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