Rep. McBride sponsors bipartisan bill to expand protected family and medical leave

DELAWARE – Delaware’s representative in Congress is sponsoring legislation to expand protected family and medical leave.

The FAIR Leave Act

Under current law, spouses who work at the same company can only receive up to 12 weeks of leave together. If an individual’s spouse works at a different company than them, they receive all of that time for themselves.

The FAIR Leave Act, sponsored by Rep. Sarah McBride (D – Delaware), aims to change that system. If passed, the law would allow spouses who work at the same company to each receive 12 weeks of protected family medical leave.

“This law is about dignity,”

For Delaware, Rep. McBride said the legislation could make all the difference.

“In rural communities and smaller towns, where you might have one big employer, many families work at the same place. Many families work at the same school, the same plant, the same employer,” Rep. McBride said.

As a state senator, Rep. McBride paved the way for the passage of Delaware’s paid family medical leave law. While she said she is still working to expand those protections on the federal front, Rep. McBride added that other changes should be made in the meantime.

“There are real, tangible improvements to (The Family and Medical Leave Act) that we could make—improvements like the Fair Leave Act … This law is about dignity, it’s about fairness, it’s about access to care, it’s about families,” Rep. McBride said.

A Personal Mission

And for Rep. McBride, she said this mission is personal.

In 2014, Rep. McBride’s late husband, Andrew Cray, received a terminal cancer diagnosis. Cray died four days after their wedding.

“One of the reasons that I ran for office is because of the experience I had as a caregiver to my husband, Andy, during his battle with terminal cancer. And, Andy and I were lucky. We both worked for the same employer when he was diagnosed with cancer, and our employer, through their compassion and flexibility, let Andy and I take the necessary leave that both of us needed to take for him to get care and for me to stay by his side to care for him,” Rep. McBride said.

Looking Ahead

The FAIR Leave Act was introduced on Wednesday and has bipartisan support. Moving forward, Rep. McBride said she will continue to work with colleagues and committee members to advance the legislation.

While any legislation that involves expanding workplace benefits typically sees some push-back, Rep. McBride said access to health care should not be a political issue.

“I’m willing to talk with anyone and work with anyone who is willing to come to the table,” Rep. McBride said.