The private sector is cutting parental leave benefits. The US fertility rate is at sub-replacement levels. Republicans in Congress seem rudderless in the face of affordability concerns. This is exactly the right time for a federal paid parental leave policy. Specifically, America needs a six-week baseline for all working parents. And yes, we can afford that.
Most parents of young children are in the workforce, including mothers, almost half of whom are now the primary household breadwinner. Yet 44% of workers lack any job protection after having a child, and only one in four have access to paid parental leave ...