Supporting working families

As a Congresswoman and a mom, I am committed to enacting policies that support families and strengthen our economy – for everyone.

Expand Paid Family Leave and Sick Days: In today’s workplace, taking time off to bond with a new baby or to care for a sick loved one is a luxury few can afford. We are the only industrialized nation that does not require some level of paid family leave, which means too many parents and caregivers are put in the impossible situation of having to choose between their need to earn a paycheck and caring for a new baby or sick family member. I am working to pass legislation that will provide 12 weeks of paid leave to care for a newborn or adopted child or a sick family member, and at least seven job-protected paid sick or safe days.

Make Child Care Affordable and Accessible: Oregon has very high child care costs – and so does most the country. We have more children in need of care than slots available, driving the prices even higher. I have secured significant additional funding for child care providers in the past, and I am fighting for continued federal funding to make child care and early childhood education affordable and accessible. The best investment we can make is in our children. Investing in quality early childhood education will save money in the long run and, importantly, give Oregonians and Americans the opportunity to create a better life and a better future for their children.

Make Retirement Secure: For decades, workers achieved retirement security through a combination of employer-provided pensions, personal savings, and Social Security. Today, however, significantly fewer employers provide retirement plans to their workers and Social Security is at risk. Workers deserve retirement security they can count on.