While Democrats’ top-down approach to family leave and child care puts Washington in control of workers’ benefits and permanently cuts paychecks for life, Republicans today unveiled an early draft of the Protecting Worker Paychecks and Family Choice Act that would provide greater flexibility and choice to parents while focusing the greatest benefits on low-wage workers.
The proposal is a joint collaboration from House Republicans on both the Education and Labor and Ways and Means Committees.
Republicans’ proposal increases access to paid family and medical leave and affordable child care, while rejecting Democrats’ partisan approach that would make it harder for workers to access the paid leave and child care they need.
Rep. Virginia Foxx (R-NC), the top Republican on the Committee on Education and Labor, said:
“Republicans are offering workable solutions for families that will propel our economy forward. Our child care proposals put parents back in the driver seat. Using resources efficiently and effectively, Republicans will protect parents' choices by helping new and existing child care providers expand options for parents, absent strict government control and trillion-dollar spending packages.
“Education and Labor Committee Republicans have long recognized that successful paid leave solutions must preserve flexibility for employers while also allowing for innovative paid leave policies that benefit employees without the threat of government mandates. That flexibility has enabled many innovative private sector initiatives covering a broad majority of American workers today, and Republicans will work for common-sense solutions to further that success.”
Rep. Kevin Brady (R-TX), the top Republican on Ways and Means, said:
"Republicans’ approach to child care and paid leave puts families and Main Street businesses first, while Democrats’ one-size-fits-all socialist solution puts Washington first.
“By putting the IRS in charge of your time off and child care, Democrats’ path will leave you with lower paychecks for life, less choice, fewer jobs, and greater hardships.
“Republicans’ proposal shows a bipartisan way to build on the proven success of pro-growth tax reform’s family-centered policies."
Rep. Jackie Walorski (R-IN), the top Republican on the Ways and Means Subcommittee on Worker and Family Support, said:
“Working families face many challenges balancing the demands of work with their needs at home. They want good jobs, growing paychecks, access to child care, and paid leave that works for them – not the tax hikes, job-killing mandates, and one-size-fits-all government programs Democrats are offering.
“Republicans’ commonsense proposal will improve access to paid family leave and affordable child care in a way that puts working families first and keeps small businesses on the path to rebuilding our economy.”
The proposal draws on contributions by Rep. Lloyd Smucker (R-PA), Rep. Kevin Hern (R-OK), Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY), Rep. Ashley Hinson (R-IA), Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-IA), Rep. Michelle Steel (R-CA), Rep. Victoria Spartz (R-IN), and Rep. Mary Miller (R-IL).
Republicans and Democrats have worked together to help families in the past, but Democrats are pushing a partisan bill that promotes “Welfare Without Work” at a cost of over 451,000 jobs and puts the IRS in charge of families’ paid leave.
Republicans have a record of delivering results for working families. Republican tax reform helped strengthen families’ financial security and encouraged work by doubling the child tax credit and securing the Family and Medical Leave Tax Credit.
During April’s full Ways and Means Committee hearing on paid leave and child care, Rep. Brady emphasized his intent to work across the aisle to support working families.
DISCUSSION DRAFT: Protecting Worker Paychecks and Family Choice Act
CLICK HERE for a one-page summary.
CLICK HERE for a section-by-section summary.
CLICK HERE to for the full discussion draft text.
