FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
January 10, 2024
CONTACT: [email protected]
One Country Project Praises Forward Steps on a Paid Family Leave Federal Framework
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, former U.S. Senator and One Country Project (OCP) founder Heidi Heitkamp released the following statement after the U.S. House of Representatives’ bipartisan Paid Family Leave (PFL) Working Group put forth a legislative framework to provide more families across the country with paid leave:
“It continues to astound me that the U.S. is one of only seven countries in the world that does not provide some guarantee of paid family or medical leave. Without federal programs or legislation, hardworking Americans are forced to take unpaid medical leave or outright leave the workforce to care for family members. Protecting Americans’ opportunity to work and provide for their families should never be a partisan issue. We applaud the members of Congress who, in recognition of this, are fighting to uplift the fourteen states that already have PFL systems and increase public-private partnerships that allow other states to follow.
“OCP, an organization dedicated to uplifting rural Americans voices and policy priorities, understands the lack of paid leave has a disproportionate impact on workers in rural regions who typically work for smaller firms that offer limited or no benefits, are at a significant distance from medical care facilities, and are often in communities with a population significantly older than the rest of the country.
“Recognizing the significant need for PFL – especially in rural communities – OCP released our proposed FAMLY Plan to create a PFL program last year. The PFL Working Group’s bipartisan and bicameral framework aligns with our vision to develop a national PFL system that ensures the availability and equity of benefits to workers across states. We look forward to partnering with the PFL Working Group and other key stakeholders to help push this important program forward to improve worker retention for employers, increase productivity, and provide an overall increase in workforce participation across the country.”
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About One Country Project
Rural America holds an essential role in moving the United States forward and the One Country Project is dedicated to ensuring Rural America’s priorities and values are heard and reflected in policy at the federal level. To learn more, visit us at www.onecountryproject.com or on Twitter or Facebook.