John B. Larson

09/16/2025 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 09/16/2025 17:40

Larson Joins DeLauro to Introduce National Paid Family and Medical Leave Plan

Washington, D.C. - Today, Rep. John B. Larson (CT-01) joined Rep. Rosa DeLauro (CT-03) to introduce the FAMILY Act, a nationwide paid family and medical leave program.

As President pro tempore of the Connecticut State Senate, Larson authored and passed the nation's first Family and Medical Leave Act, which led the way for Senator Chris Dodd's national bill, signed into law by President Clinton in 1993.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Larson led his colleagues to pass the Families First Coronavirus Response Act, including the first national lawthat guaranteed paid sick leave. As a senior member of the Ways and Means Committee, Larson fought for the inclusionof paid family and medical leave in the Build Back Better Act, passing paid leave in the House for the first time in 2021. DeLauro and Larson's FAMILY Act would guarantee up to 12 weeks of paid family and medical leave for all American workers.

Watch Rep. Larson's video calling for passage of the FAMILY Act.

"No one should have to choose between paying their bills and starting a family, or caring for a loved one," said Larson. "When I was President of the Connecticut State Senate, we passed the nation's first Family and Medical Leave Act, which paved the way for national action. I have long advocated for expanding those protections to guarantee paid leave. I am proud to join my dear friend and colleague Rosa DeLauro today to continue that fight with the FAMILY Act. It is long overdue for the United States of America to do right by working families and guarantee paid leave for all. Americans should be able to be home with their loved ones when they are needed the most without losing their ability to earn a living. Congress needs to heed the call of our nation's families and act."

The FAMILY Actwould provide workers with up to 12 weeks of partial income for a range of major life events, including:

  • Recovering from their own serious health condition;

  • Caring for a family member with a serious health condition;

  • Bonding with a new child-whether newborn, adopted, or placed through foster care;

  • Handling responsibilities related to a family member's military deployment;

  • Taking "safe leave" to respond to domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking.

John B. Larson published this content on September 16, 2025, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on September 16, 2025 at 23:40 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]