“Across America, only 27 percent of workers in the private sector have access to paid family leave.”
During a speech on the Senate floor, U.S. Senator Deb Fischer (R-Neb) called on her colleagues to support her nationwide paid family leave legislation with Senator Angus King (I-ME). The bill expands on and makes permanent their previous legislation incorporated into the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, which is set to expire in 2025.
In her remarks, Fischer emphasized that both parties have recently called for more pro-family legislation. She also discussed the bipartisan support her bill received and its previous history of success.
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Following is a transcript of Senator Fischer’s remarks as prepared for delivery:
M. President,
Over the past few months, we’ve heard from both sides of the aisle about how American families need more support.
We’ve heard discussions about the child tax credit, child care costs, and dozens more issues that affect parents and their kids.
Earlier this year, Senator Vance summed up nicely what could be a mission statement for Republicans on this issue.
He said: QUOTE “We want to provide more options so that people are raising families in a thriving and happy way in this country.” END QUOTE
M. President, my colleagues and I are here today to talk about Republican solutions. And I want to talk specifically about one solution to the family leave problem that has not just Republican, but also bipartisan support.
Across America, only 27 percent of workers in the private sector have access to paid family leave.
The other three-quarters have to choose between making ends meet and taking care of their families—whether that’s welcoming a newborn into the world or nursing an aging parent.
That’s not a choice Americans should have to make.
My colleagues on the other side of the aisle have proposed a few ideas to solve this problem.
Some of them advocate for a new nationwide government entitlement program. Some advocate for a mandate that would force businesses to pay out of pocket for their employees’ leave.
Neither of those options is practical or politically realistic.
Our nation is already trillions of dollars in debt. And a mandate would squash small businesses that simply don’t have the resources to survive while paying an employee who is not at work.
But there is a solution—a way to offer employees paid time off without creating a new mandatory program or forcing businesses to suffer huge losses.
We can provide tax benefits to businesses that offer employees paid leave, which will in turn free up resources businesses can use to pay the salaries of workers on leave.
This is a tried-and-true method that works. I know, because I’ve done it before.
In 2017, Senator King and I created the first nationwide paid family leave policy in U.S. history. We created a tax credit for employers who voluntarily offer up to 12 weeks of paid leave to employees, and President Trump signed it into law.
But that tax credit expires at the end of 2025.
To ensure that businesses can keep offering paid leave, we need to make this credit permanent—as well as make it easier for businesses to qualify for it and use it.
That’s why we introduced the PFML Tax Credit Extension and Enhancement Act.
Our bill makes the credit permanent and expands it.
It supports additional options for financing paid leave, such as paid family leave insurance. It also allows employers to begin offering PFML to workers sooner after being hired.
Our bill also includes a strategy for educating businesses and employees about the option to receive this credit.
It requires the Small Business Administration and the IRS to conduct targeted outreach and technical assistance for those who need it, which will raise awareness of the credit and expand the number of Americans who have paid leave.
This is a Republican solution, and it’s one that everyone can get on board with. It already has a track record of bipartisan support in Congress.
And we have the perfect opportunity to pass this tax credit yet again in the new year.
As my colleagues on the Finance Committee begin working on tax policy for 2025 and onward, I’d urge them to remember America’s families.
Remember how much they need access to paid family leave, and remember what they voted for this November: an administration who will look out for parents and kids.
We have a solution for America’s paid leave problem. It’s just a matter of expanding it and enacting it.
Thank you, M. President, I yield the floor.