Lynn C. Woolsey: “Yesterday was the eighth anniversary of the signing of the Family and Medical Leave Act. Since 1993, that landmark…”

“Yesterday was the eighth anniversary of the signing of the Family and Medical Leave Act. Since 1993, that landmark legislation has allowed 35 million Americans to take time off from their jobs to be with children or ailing relatives without fear of losing their jobs. That is peace of mind for the American worker, and it is something that all workers need and deserve. But even with FMLA in place, not all parents are taking the time off that is available to them. In fact, a recent study by the U.S. Department of Labor found that 88 percent of eligible employees who need time off do not take it because they cannot afford to go without a paycheck. Scientific research shows that early bonding between parent and child is exceptionally critical to that child's future, to that child's success. Yet 83 percent of women who give birth are back to work within 6 months, and 70 percent of them say it is because they need the money. Madam Speaker, America's children are paying the price for their parents' need to earn a living; and those parents are forced to choose between the needs of their children and putting food on the table. And that is not right. The Family and Medical Leave Act has helped millions of families. But what we are finding out is there are millions more who are being left behind. It is time that the United States joined the more than 120 countries around the world that provide paid leave for new parents. Let us face it, times are changing.”