Though GOP lawmakers generally panned the proposals in last week’s State of the Union address, House Democrats are hoping that a coalition of Republican women may work with them on one of the main priorities that President Barack Obama outlined in his speech: paid leave legislation.
Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-N.Y.) and Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-D.C.) on Monday reintroduced the Federal Employees Paid Parental Leave Act, which would provide six weeks of paid maternity or paternity leave for federal employees. The lawmakers expressed optimism that their female colleagues across the aisle would support the legislation.
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“It’s all but useless except for women like me, women who have leave, or women who can afford to take time off from work,” said Norton.
“It’s no longer Ozzie and Harriet, with [Harriet] sitting at home,” added Maloney. “Both Ozzie and Harriet are working and carrying a very stressful burden. The support system is not there.”
