Rev. Greenaway: “Access to paid parental leave is an equity issue. All new parents, regardless of income or identity, deserve the opportunity to bond with their children without worrying about their next paycheck.”
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Press Contact: Natalie Moran
Email: nmoran@nwica.org
WASHINGTON – Today, Congress reached a deal that would include 12 weeks of paid parental leave for federal government workers in the National Defense Authorization Act. The United States is currently the only developed country in the world that does not guarantee paid leave for new parents.
Rev. Douglas Greenaway, President and CEO of the National WIC Association (NWA), issued the following statement in response:
“Access to paid parental leave is an equity issue. All new parents, regardless of income or identity, deserve the opportunity to bond with their children without worrying about their next paycheck. This paid leave is also particularly critical for mothers who are breastfeeding. While the policy will benefit those overseeing the WIC program at the federal level, those working at the state and local level still do not have guaranteed access to paid family and medical leave under federal law. This policy represents an important next step in the greater fight for access to paid family and medical leave for the entire workforce.”
# # #