Tell your Congressperson to support paid family leave today!

Tell your Congressperson to support paid family leave today!

I pledge to...

<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://momsrising.democracyinaction.org/o/1768/campaign.jsp?campaign_KEY=27268">http://momsrising.democracyinaction.org/o/1768/campaign.jsp?campaign_KEY=27268</a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><strong>Tell your Congressperson to support paid family leave today! <br /><br /></strong>Question:&nbsp; What do Angelina Jolie, Halle Berry, Tom Cruise, and Reese Witherspoon all have in common? <br /><br />Answer: They're all parents who weren't thrust into poverty when they had a child.&nbsp; Unfortunately, this is an all too small and exclusive group.&nbsp; In the U.S., having a baby is a leading cause of a "poverty spell," which is a time when income slips below what's needed for food and rent; and a full quarter of families with children under six live in poverty. <br /><br />It doesn't have to be this way. The birth of a child doesn't have to put families in poverty. There's a solution at hand that is widely used around the world to help both families and businesses: With a paid family and medical leave insurance program, we can make sure new parents aren't thrust into a cycle of poverty with the birth or adoption of a new child. And, we can also be sure that when folks have other family emergencies (like a seriously ill parent or spouse), they won't fall into poverty, either.<br /><br /><strong>*So what are we waiting for!?&nbsp; Urge your Congressional Representatives now with 1-click to support paid family leave insurance programs today</strong>!</p>
<p><a href="http://momsrising.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?key=1013582386&amp;url_num=3&amp;url=http://momsrising.democracyinaction.org/o/1768/campaign.jsp?campaign_KEY%3D27268"><strong>http://momsrising.democracyinaction.org/o/1768/campaign.jsp?campaign_KEY=27268</strong></a></p>
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<p><strong>More and more people are realizing that family economic security is a big part of our economic recovery as a nation. Just last week, a bill was introduced that would provide grants to states to start their own family and medical leave insurance programs.&nbsp; Called the FIRST Act, this bill would kick start our national effort to provide paid family leave to everyone by encouraging states to lead the way.&nbsp; Another bill is moving forward that provides paid family and medical leave for all federal workers.&nbsp; Yet another provides paid family and medical leave for everyone, which is our ultimate goal since the U.S. is one of only 4 countries--with Papua New Guinea, Swaziland and Liberia--that doesn't provide this to new moms.<br /><br />Why do families need paid family leave insurance right now, anyway?&nbsp; In an economic crisis, the argument for paid family leave becomes all the more powerful.&nbsp; Studies show that policies like paid family and medical leave lowers infant mortality and helps stop family poverty before it starts.&nbsp; Further, research has found that countries with family-friendly policies in place like paid family leave have lower wage gaps between women and men.&nbsp; Closing the wage gap is important because the wage gaps mothers face are huge, and they significantly contribute to family poverty: Women without kids make about 90 cents to a man's dollar, mothers make less at 73 cents to a man's dollar, and single moms make only about 60 cents per a man's dollar.<br /><br />The benefits of Paid Family Leave Insurance to businesses are clear, too.&nbsp; A New Jersey study found that employers would benefit from Paid Family Leave by increasing employee retention and decreasing costly employee turnover. Studies show that 98% of employees return to work for the same employer after taking their longest family and medical leave. Businesses also profit from higher productivity, greater morale, and reduced absenteeism.<br /><br />*Don't forget to tell your Congressperson that we need Family Leave Insurance now!</strong></p>
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<p><a href="http://momsrising.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?key=1013582386&amp;url_num=4&amp;url=http://momsrising.democracyinaction.org/o/1768/campaign.jsp?campaign_KEY%3D27268"><strong>http://momsrising.democracyinaction.org/o/1768/campaign.jsp?campaign_KEY=27268</strong></a></p>
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<p><strong>There's a movement growing in the U.S. for family economic security, and you are a part of it.&nbsp; Together, we have already won paid family leave laws in New Jersey and Washington State.&nbsp; More states are moving this policy forward with the support of local MomsRising members.&nbsp; And, thanks to your advocacy, paid family leave insurance bills are getting more traction in Congress now than ever before. <br /><br />MomsRising members across the country (you!) are speaking out, and our leaders are listening.&nbsp; But we have to keep the momentum going all the way to the finish line. Please take action now, and also forward this email to your friends and family so they can take action too.<br /><br />All of our voices together are powerful--and together we can make the changes that families in our nation need for economic security.<br /><br />Thank you! -- Katie, Kristin, Joan, Mary, and the MomsRising.org Team<br /><br /><a href="http://momsrising.democracyinaction.org/o/1768/campaign.jsp?campaign_KEY=27268">http://momsrising.democracyinaction.org/o/1768/campaign.jsp?campaign_KEY=27268</a></strong>

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