U.S. Reps. Jackie Walorski (R-IN) and Kevin Brady (R-TX) introduced a draft of a bill that would increase access to paid family and medical leave and affordable childcare.
The Protecting Worker Paychecks and Family Choice Act would expand the employer-provided paid family and medical leave tax credit and create new family savings accounts. It would also incentivize and reduce costs for small employers to offer paid family leave to their employees by providing more generous tax credits and paving the way for pooling and cost-sharing. Further, it would expand access to affordable childcare by leveraging the existing $50 billion in new investments, targeting funds, and preserving parent choice.
“Working families face many challenges balancing the demands of work with their needs at home,” Walorski said. “They want good jobs, growing paychecks, access to child care, and paid leave that works for them – not the tax hikes, job-killing mandates, and one-size-fits-all government programs Democrats are offering. Republicans’ commonsense proposal will improve access to paid family leave and affordable childcare in a way that puts working families first and keeps small businesses on the path to rebuilding our economy.”
The bill would also create a bipartisan commission to make recommendations to Congress on streamlining and reducing duplication in the financing of federal early care and education programs.
“Republicans’ approach to childcare and paid leave puts families and Main Street businesses first, while Democrats’ one-size-fits-all socialist solution gives Washington control,” Brady said. “By putting the IRS in charge of your time off and child care, Democrats’ path will leave you with lower paychecks for life, less choice, fewer jobs, and greater hardships. Republicans’ proposal shows a bipartisan way to build on the proven success of pro-growth tax reform’s family-centered policies.”
Walorski serves on the House Ways and Means Committee and is the ranking member of the House Ethics Committee. She introduced the legislation at a subcommittee hearing on expanding access to paid family leave and childcare.