Clinton proposes to extend Family Medical Leave Act

Democratic presidential front-runner Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (N.Y.) unveiled a plan Tuesday that would expand the Family Medical Leave Act to cover 13 million additional workers.

{mosads}“Too many Americans feel trapped between being a good parent and being a good worker,” Clinton said at a campaign event in New Hampshire. Taking a shot at Republicans, the senator added that it is “about time we stopped just talking about family values and started pursuing policies that truly value families. All Americans who are working hard and taking responsibility deserve the chance to do right by their children.”

Clinton proposed to let states come up with “innovative paid family leave programs” that would be funded through a $1 billion grant program. In addition, the senator calls for the expansion of the Family Medical Leave Act and said all workers should be guaranteed seven days of sick leave.

The senator proposes to pay for the plan, which would cost $1.75 billion per year, by closing a corporate tax shelter.

“With sound policies and sensible investments, we can give parents more choices to make the decisions that are best for them,” Clinton said. “We can make life a little easier for everyone — for mothers and for fathers — to do the most important job there is in any society: raising and nurturing the next generation. And that’s the right decision for all of us.”

Clinton also wants to improve access to affordable childcare for working parents. The senator, who often is criticized by her opponents for trying to give the government too much control over people’s lives, wants to achieve this goal through public-private partnerships.

The campaign said Clinton’s plan would work “in partnership with America’s businesses to ensure that pro-family work policies and increasing workplace flexibility helps improve American competitiveness and economic growth.”