Underwood, Smith Introduce Job Protection Act to Ensure Family and Medical Leave for All | Representative Lauren Underwood
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Underwood, Smith Introduce Job Protection Act to Ensure Family and Medical Leave for All

February 2, 2023

WASHINGTON – Congresswoman Lauren Underwood (IL-14) and Senator Tina Smith (D-MN) introduced the Job Protection Act, legislation to expand the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) to tens of millions of workers. The lawmakers introduced the bill ahead of the 30th anniversary of the FMLA this Sunday. 

“As we commemorate the Family and Medical Leave Act’s 30th anniversary, we cannot forget that 44 percent of workers are excluded from the law’s protections. This anniversary is a reminder that we still have work to do to make family and medical leave for all a reality,” said Underwood. “Senator Smith and I are introducing the Job Protection Act, the largest expansion of the FMLA since its enactment, so that working people can provide for their families and care for their loved ones without having to worry about their job security or putting their career plans on hold.” 

“Under our current laws, employees are required to work for the same employer for an entire year before they are eligible for job protection if they have to take leave for a family or medical emergency,” said Senator Smith. “The Job Protection Act would make sure that millions more workers can take family or medical leave and not have to choose between their jobs and taking care of their families.” 

The Job Protection Act is endorsed by more than 100 national, state, and local organizations. The full list of statements in support can be found here. A fact sheet on the Job Protection Act can be found here

“Although we estimate the Family and Medical Leave Act has allowed people to take time off to care for themselves and their loved ones 460 million times, many are left out of its protections and those left out are more likely to be workers of color. We continue to fight for the workers and caregivers left out and who cannot rely on their job waiting for them when they return from caring for themselves or their loved ones. The reintroduction of the Job Protection Act is proof of Rep. Underwood and Sen. Smith’s commitment to the fight for all workers, whether they are full- or part-time workers, or new on the job,” said Sharita Gruberg, vice president for economic justice at the National Partnership for Women & Families. “Caring for yourself or your family without fear of losing one’s job should be available to every worker. Until a national, comprehensive paid family leave policy is passed, we will continue to advocate for workers to get these kinds of well-deserved protections.” 

“Thank you to Senator Tina Smith and Representative Lauren Underwood and all of the cosponsors for leading on this important legislation to strengthen FMLA's protections and to lay the groundwork for an equitable paid family and medical leave law in this country. It is unconscionable that in America today, 3 in 4 workers lack paid family leave from their jobs and millions lack the guarantee of even unpaid leave. It is past time for our policies to catch up with the rest of the world and the needs of our families and a 21st century economy. Closing these gaps is a step toward the care infrastructure and paid leave protections we need for a strong and resilient economy,” said Dawn Huckelbridge, Director of Paid Leave for All. 

“Working people shouldn't be afraid to lose our livelihoods simply because we need time off to care for ourselves and our families. The Job Protection Act brings us closer to the promise of making family and medical leave for all workers a reality,” said AFL-CIO President, Liz Shuler. “The pandemic has brought into focus the need for comprehensive policies and protections that provide more flexibility to working people. Making these changes will ensure equity in our workforce, particularly for low-wage workers, people of color and women, many of whom still have not returned to the workforce. It's past time that we recognized family and medical leave as a basic human necessity.” 

The Job Protection Act is cosponsored in the Senate by: Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Dick Durbin (D-IL), and Patty Murray (D-WA). 

The Job Protection Act is cosponsored in the House of Representatives by: Rosa DeLauro (CT-03); Rashida Tlaib (MI-12); Sheila Jackson Lee (TX-18); Nydia Velázquez (NY-07); Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC); Joyce Beatty (OH-03); Jerrold Nadler (NY-12); Lois Frankel (FL-22); Mary Gay Scanlon (PA-05); André Carson (IN-07); Adam B. Schiff (CA-30); Katie Porter (CA-47); Lucy McBath (GA-07); Ted W. Lieu (CA-36); Danny K. Davis (IL-07); Colin Allred (TX-32); Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01); Raúl M. Grijalva (AZ-03); Nikema Williams (GA-05); Adam Smith (WA-09); Stephen F. Lynch (MA-08); Jamie Raskin (MD-08); Dwight Evans (PA-03); Jill Tokuda (HI-02); Pramila Jayapal (WA-07); Greg Landsman (OH-01); Susan Wild (PA-07); James P. McGovern (MA-02); Valerie Foushee (NC-04); Mike Levin (CA-49); Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (FL-20); Sydney Kamlager-Dove (CA-37); Haley Stevens (MI-11); Betty McCollum (MN-04); Dina Titus (NV-01); Jahana Hayes (CT-05); Frederica S. Wilson (FL-24); Troy A. Carter (LA-02); Sara Jacobs (CA-53); Nanette Diaz Barragán (CA-44); Mark Takano (CA 39); Yvette D. Clarke (NY-09); Jan Schakowsky (IL-09); Barbara Lee (CA-12); David N. Cicilline (RI-01); Jimmy Gomez (CA-34); Judy Chu (CA-28); Ayanna Pressley (MA-07); Sean Casten (IL-06); John B. Larson (CT-01); Steve Cohen (TN09); Don Beyer (VA-08); Kathy Manning (NC-06); Debbie Dingell (MI-06); Mark DeSaulnier (CA-10); Kathy Castor (FL-14); and Kweisi Mfume (MD-07). 

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