Republicans love to tout their “family values,” but their policies on paid leave force working Americans to spend less time at home and more time at work just to provide for their families.
Even though a majority of Republican voters say they are in favor of paid leave, the GOP field refuses to support proposals that would actually increase the number of Americans who can take paid leave without losing their jobs. Following the Kochs’ lead, Republicans refuse to take meaningful action, leaving it to state governments and big corporations to decide whether employees can take paid family time off.
Though they talk a big game on “family values,” Republicans will do little to help more workers take paternity or maternity leave, or a paid absence for work to take care of a sick family member.
- Ted Cruz voted against establishing paid leave. When asked about his policies he said, “I think maternity leave and paternity leave are wonderful things. I support them personally, but I don’t think the federal government should be in the business of mandating them.”
- Marco Rubio introduced a plan that relies on corporations opting in to allow paid family leave. According to an op-ed in Fusion, “Rubio doesn’t believe the government should require federal leave, and wants to leave it to the market to sort out.”
- When asked about his stance on mandating maternity leave, Jeb Bush said, “That’s a state decision. I don’t think we need more federal rules.”
- Donald Trump thinks the country should be “careful of” paid family leave.
- John Kasich voted against the family medical leave act in 1992.
Published: Jan 12, 2016