Business Organizations Urge Paid Leave to Stay in Final Build Back Better Bill
Business organizations across the country are calling for swift passage of the Build Back Better Act, with the inclusion of a national paid leave program:
Main Street Alliance - Full Statement
Main Street Alliance Applauds Inclusion of Paid Leave in Build Back Better, Urges Swift Passage
November 3, 2021
On the release of the House’s Build Back Better legislative text today, Main Street Alliance Co-Executive Director Chanda Causer had this to say:
“Main Street Alliance supports the Build Back Better deal and urges swift passage. The inclusion of paid family and medical leave is a win for small businesses, and an opportunity to build back better with equity. Paid leave is one of the most widely supported policies in the initial Build Back Better plan and can unite the country and boost the economy. The creation of a national paid leave program would be a historic achievement and a worthy legacy.
In partnership, the Build Back Better Agenda and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Deal will make critical investments we need to build our economy and rebuild our communities. The President’s legislative agenda will invest in our nation’s future and build an economy that rewards work, not wealth, by lowering costs for working people, supporting small businesses, and creating millions of new good-paying jobs.”
American Sustainable Business Council - Full Statement
ASBC Supports Keeping Paid Family Leave in Social Infrastructure Legislation Where It Belongs
MEDIA RELEASE NOVEMBER 3, 2021
Washington, D.C. — The American Sustainable Business Council (ASBC) and Social Venture Circle (SVC) announced support of the proposed re-inclusion of paid family leave in legislation currently being negotiated. The change was announced today in a letter to Senate colleagues from Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), who said the Rules Committee would meet later in the day to consider the changes. Despite being previously dropped from the proposed legislation, ASBC and SVC maintained support as part of the Paid Leave Coalition, which has been working hard to keep its inclusion a priority.
While providing four weeks of permanent parental and medical leave is far short of the initially proposed 12 weeks of paid family leave in President Biden’s proposed expansion of social benefits and climate programs, it is an important and necessary provision for workers and the businesses who rely on them. Paid family leave is important as part of a just and inclusive economy and throughout the course of one’s life whether as a young worker managing the demands of child care, a mid-career worker helping with aging parents, or a long-time worker managing partner and/or self-care. Regardless of age or level of worker, paid leave is needed for the success of American businesses to support competition when hiring, maintain productivity, support employee morale, and build consumer confidence.
Paid Leave US - Full Statement
PL+US STATEMENT: Speaker Pelosi’s admirable announcement that Paid Family and Medical Leave will be included in House version of the Reconciliation Bill
Nov 03 2021
Statement of Molly Day, Executive Director, Paid Leave for the US (PL+US) on Speaker Pelosi’s admirable announcement that Paid Family and Medical Leave will be included in House version of the Reconciliation Bill:
“We applaud the House’s inclusion of Paid Family and Medical Leave in their Reconciliation Bill, and hope the Senate will follow their lead.
“We are deeply appreciative of our champions in the House, notably Speaker Pelosi and Chairman Neal, as well as leaders in the Senate who have refused to give up on paid leave, and used their voices to fight for what working families across America overwhelming support and urgently need. Women especially have made their voices heard -- online, in their communities, on the steps of the Capitol and in the backyards of leaders Schumer and Pelosi. Their message has been clear: we cannot build back better without paid leave and any final package must include this critical legislation.
“It will take the collective efforts of our champions in Congress, the White House and our national advocacy community to take this legislation across the finish line. We look forward to working arm and arm with the White House and Congress to ensure Paid Family and Medical Leave is part of the final package and becomes a reality for all working families." -