Senator Murray Reintroduces Legislation to Finally Make Paid Sick, Medical, and Family Leave a Reality for All Americans

"We are here today because no one should have to choose between taking care of themselves and their family, and being able to make ends meet.

It's really that simple. And, it is really, really, long overdue.

When you are facing the grief and pain of caring for a seriously ill child, sitting in the hospital with a seriously ill parent, or coping with a cancer diagnosis.

You shouldn't be worried about how you'll make next month's rent by taking unpaid time off work.

When you are welcoming a new member of the family, recovering after giving birth, and facing all the joys and challenges of those first weeks with a newborn, one of those challenges shouldn't be how quickly you have to rush back to the office.

And when you are a survivor of domestic violence--you should be able to prioritize ensuring your safety, securing legal protections, and seeking care, without fearing you have to return to work before you feel safe and ready.

Anyone who has been in these situations knows, they are hard. Here in Congress, we should be working to make it a little easier.

We should be making sure no one has to choose between their family and their job, their family and their paycheck, their wellbeing and their financial stability.

That's what the Healthy Families Act is all about. That's what the FAMILY Act is all about. Finally establishing paid sick, family, and medical leave for families all across this country.

I think every one of my colleagues agrees we have reintroduced these bills too many times--but you lose every fight you aren't in.

So you better believe we are bumping paid leave to the top of the agenda and we are determined to get these bills across the finish line."

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