Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, wrote a letter to Congress calling for paid family leave
Source: NPR
October 21, 202112:16 PM ET Rachel Treisman
Democrats have been negotiating for weeks over just how much to spend on a budget reconciliation bill that would address key Biden administration priorities in areas like climate change, health care and child care.
And now another high-profile voice has entered the conversation. Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, penned an open letter to top Democrats on Wednesday asking them not to "compromise or negotiate" when it comes paid family leave.
"Paid leave should be a national right, rather than a patchwork option limited to those whose employers have policies in place, or those who live in one of the few states where a leave program exists," wrote the mother of two. "If we're going to create a new era of family first policies, let's make sure that includes a strong paid leave program for every American that's guaranteed, accessible, and encouraged without stigma or penalty."
Her letter comes as progressive House and Senate Democrats are pushing back against a preliminary decision — by President Biden and their moderate counterparts — to slash funding for a national paid family leave program in a scaled-back version of the bill.
As The Hill reported, Biden informed them at a White House meeting on Wednesday that the Build Back Better Act will provide four weeks of paid leave benefits instead of the original 12.
More than a dozen lawmakers sent a letter of their own to Biden, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer in response, urging them to include a comprehensive national paid leave program in the final bill.
Read more: https://www.npr.org/2021/10/21/1047994803/meghan-duchess-of-sussex-paid-family-leave-congress-letter-spending-bill?utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=npr&utm_term=nprnews&utm_medium=social
Hoping this will make the cut
#paidleave
https://media.npr.org/assets/img/2021/10/21/gettyimages-1342506810-a8f47db94154563d5548fcc49101b20d09bdbc0b-s800-c85.webp
Meghan, Duchess of Sussex pictured onstage during Global Citizen Live, New York on September 25, 2021 in New York. The mother-of-two advocated for paid family leave in a letter to top congressional Democrats.
John Lamparski/
Also see
https://www.democraticunderground.com/1016304647
@HillaryClinton
“No family should have to choose between earning a living and having the freedom to take care of their child.”
Meghan, The Duchess of Sussex makes a compelling case for paid leave in a letter to Congress.
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1) I have a kid & live in Sweden. Meghan Markle has argued for paid leave for US parents. Here's thread about childcare in Sweden: a nation that ranks as one of best in quality of life, gender equality & working conditions for women. Leave & childcare huge reason for that.
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= new reply since forum marked as read
