Tensions Rise Over Paid Family Leave as Bill is Tabled

After a continuous debate about the weeks of paid medical leave, congress decided to pull a bill proposing a national mandate for paid family leave. Originally, twelve weeks were proposed, which was shortened to four, before being pulled completely as of October 27th, 2021. 

Maternity leave is something granted to those who need it in over 185 countries.  It is being paid to take time off from work to care for a newborn child.  However, the United States still rests at 0 weeks offered. Even if Congress had passed the bill with the initial reduction, 4 weeks paid leave, the United States would still be one of the lowest countries, tied with Eswanti, with only four weeks or less of paid maternity leave being guaranteed. 

With the world average paid maternity leave being 29 weeks, and paternity leave being 16, eyes shift towards the United States. However, many believe that even the last proposed bill of four weeks, which was puled, is not enough for new parents to recover and care for their child. Depending on the case, recovery can take multiple weeks to even months. Furthermore, studies show that parents being home with a newborn for their first sixth months will help with bonding, increasing immunization, and breastfeeding rates. 

So what is preventing the United States from granting this leave? It is estimated that over twenty billion dollars are needed within the next five years to guarantee twelve weeks of maternity leave for families.  This is not a small cost and is the reason this bill has met opposition. 

Now that the bill has been dropped, where does the situation stand moving forward? The democratic party claims it will continue to fight for the rights of paid maternity leave, but that fight has been fruitless thus far. Although this issue is being tabled, for now, it has not yet been officially voted down.