Daddy Issues - FMLA

The third year of the 2016 presidential election cycle is finally upon us. Until election day, I will post the official statements and quotes on different issues that may concern parents from the current candidates. 

The first issue that we will investigate is the Family Medical Leave Act. 

WHAT IS IT?

The FMLA entitles eligible employees of covered employers to take unpaid, job-protected leave for specified family and medical reasons with continuation of group health insurance coverage under the same terms and conditions as if the employee had not taken leave. Eligible employees are entitled to:

• Twelve workweeks of leave in a 12-month period for:
• the birth of a child and to care for the newborn child within one year of birth;
• the placement with the employee of a child for adoption or foster care and to care for the newly placed child within one year of placement;
• to care for the employee’s spouse, child, or parent who has a serious health condition;
• a serious health condition that makes the employee unable to perform the essential functions of his or her job;
• any qualifying exigency arising out of the fact that the employee’s spouse, son, daughter, or parent is a covered military member on “covered active duty;” or

• Twenty-six workweeks of leave during a single 12-month period to care for a covered servicemember with a serious injury or illness if the eligible employee is the servicemember’s spouse, son, daughter, parent, or next of kin (military caregiver leave). -US DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

WHAT DO THEY SAY ABOUT IT?

Hillary Clinton (DEM)

Unsure if paid leave was "politically feasible" but admitted her fondness of a federal mandate. 

Ted Cruz (GOP)

“I think maternity leave and paternity leave are wonderful things. I support them personally. But I don't think the federal government should be in the business of mandating them.”

Bernie Sanders (DEM)

Workers in the United States should have at least 12 weeks of universal paid family and medical leave.

Marco Rubio (GOP)

His plan is to avoid a federal mandate but encourage companies by giving a 25-percent tax credit to businesses that volunteer at least 4 weeks of family leave. 

  

Martin O’Malley (DEM)

Supports the FAMILY Act because paid leave for both genders is essential to closing the gender pay gap.

Chris Christie (GOP)

“These towns that are doing it just continue to make New Jersey less and less competitive. And then when businesses leave the state, they want to know why.”

Jeb Bush (GOP) “People need to work longer hours.”

Rand Paul (GOP)

This president thinks paid leave is a 'worker's right?

Carly Fiorina (GOP)

Opposes changing the law federally on the grounds that the government shouldn't tell the private sector how to run its business. During her time as CEO, Hewlett Packard offered paid maternity/paternity leave.

  

Donald Trump and Ben Carson (GOP)

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