While I appreciate the obvious social and health benefits that this bill proposes, and would have definitely used this option when I had my babies, 12 months full paid maternal leave is way too “fiscally” liberal for the Trump administration to even consider. Even six months is way too liberal for this crowd. Only 12 weeks paid federal family leave is on the table, but would not likely pass in the GOP trifecta. In fact, the Democrats tried to pass their 12 week paid family leave bill when Biden had the trifecta, but lacked the votes necessary because Manchin didn’t support it.
I know that Trump listens to his daughter Ivanka, and I remember previously hearing years ago that she urged him to support some sort of maternal leave. So who knows, maybe he will take that advice and consider something. It’s worth pushing for it.
I have also proposed a bill offering maternal leave (12 weeks) as well as an option for working parents to take 8 hours unpaid intermittent time off weekly, and some leave and flexibility options for fathers and working students. It’s still probably too liberal for a GOP trifecta, but I’m just throwing this out there because I truly believe in the need for ideas like this. Here’s my idea, in case anyone wants to consider it: