Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Dina Titus of Nevada's First Congressional District released the following statement today after paid family and medical leave was returned to the House Build Back Better framework. A long-time advocate for paid leave, Congresswoman Titus is an original cosponsor of legislation to provide 12 weeks of paid leave, signed a letter to the President urging paid family and medical leave remain in the final reconciliation package, and joined grassroots supporters to push for paid leave for all.

“During this pandemic, many of Las Vegas’s frontline and hospitality workers were left choosing between their family’s safety and a paycheck. That’s a choice no one should have to make,” said Congresswoman Dina Titus (NV-1). “We not only have an economic necessity to act, but also a moral imperative to get this done. Today’s announcement is a win for workers who deserve peace of mind knowing they can take paid time off for the birth of a child, to care for a family member, or deal with an illness or injury.”

Background: Rep. Titus push for paid leave

• Titus sent a letter to the President in August urging paid leave to be included in reconciliation (08/19/21): “We write to express our support for maintaining robust paid family and medical leave in the final reconciliation package. Paid leave is a top priority for us and the workers we represent."

• Nevada Current (08/13/21): Titus says infrastructure bill & $3.5T budget resolution ‘have to go together’: “Speaking Thursday at the “Paid Leave for All” national bus tour, U.S. Rep. Dina Titus called it “an investment in human infrastructure,” and just as important as adopting the bipartisan infrastructure bill, which passed the Senate and includes $1.1 trillion for roads, bridges and airports.”

• Las Vegas Sun (08/12/21): Titus says universal leave integral part of human infrastructure bill: “Titus also noted the pandemic has had steep consequences for Las Vegas. Many frontline workers had to choose between working and staying home with their children, she said. Titus said the family leave plan is important for workers and employers. ‘Business thrives when their employees do well,’ she said.”

• Congresswoman Titus is an original cosponsor of The Family And Medical Insurance Leave (FAMILY) Act. This bill has the support of over 200 cosponsors in the House of Representatives and would provide workers with up to 12 weeks of partial income when they take time away from their job for their own serious health conditions, to take care of a child, parent, spouse or domestic partner, following childbirth or the adoption of a child, and other caregiving and leave purposes. This legislation would  benefit workers in all companies, no matter their size, and include part-time, lower wage, and self-employed workers.