More Paid Leave for More Americans Act & NEW Data from Engage Poll

Good Morning Thread Readers,

The results are in and we have a winner! The More Paid Leave for More Americans Act (HR 3089). Engage awards its gold medals to Reps. Stephanie Bice (R-OK) and Chrissy Houlahan (D-PA) and the members of the House Paid Family Leave Working Group — Representatives Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-IA), Haley Stevens (D-MI), Julia Letlow (R-LA), Don Beyer (D-VA), Randy Feenstra (R-IA), and Jimmy Gomez (D-CA) — for doing the hard work of governing.

To support this responsible legislation, Engage commissioned a national poll and the results are striking: 76% of voters support this bill and 81% say it’s important for the Trump Administration and Congress to work together on this issue.

Let’s go Team USA!

The More Paid Leave for More Americans Act is not a mandate. It empowers states and businesses to work together by providing incentives for the provision of paid family leave. The legislation:

• Establishes a 3-year pilot program that provides federal funding for states to develop and administer Paid Family Leave programs in their state
• States must provide a minimum of 6 weeks of paid leave and replace up to 67% of a wage based upon a formula, up to a maximum cap
• States must enroll in the Interstate Paid Leave Action Network (I-PLAN) to establish best practices and harmonize different state rules and regulations
• Requires annual Department of Labor audits to modernize oversight, protect taxpayer dollars, and prevent waste, fraud, and abuse

I-PLAN helps states administer benefits when residents move across state lines or live in a different state than where their job is based.

The caregiving reality in America is growing:

• Over 1 in 5 Americans—including 51% of Millennials—now belong to the “Sandwich Generation,” caring for both children and aging parents. (Workforce to Care Force)
• Most care recipients are older adults with chronic health conditions (Caregiving in the US)
• Two-thirds of children under five require childcare due to working parents. (First Five Years Fund)
• 455,000 women left the workforce between January and August 2025, with more than 4 in 10 leaving due to rising childcare costs and a lack of support. (Catalyst)
• Labor participation for mothers of young children fell 2.8% in early 2025—the sharpest mid-year drop in 40 years. (University of Kansas/The Care Board)

This legislation offers a path forward. And voters agree. On the legislation:

• 76% view the More Paid Leave for More Americans Act favorably
• 83% are more supportive knowing employers can run equivalent or better programs
• 80% are more supportive when the system reduces fraud and abuse
• 79% support interstate coordination and portability

Facts Be Told

In today’s environment, bipartisan validation meaningfully increases confidence in policy. Cooperation functions as a credibility signal. The Bice-Houlahan bill delivers both. Paid Family Leave isn’t just good policy, it’s good politics.

The following superstars have demonstrated bipartisan spirit and/or brought some joy to our lives

• CJ O’Neil and Robert Sar with Rep. Bice (R-OK)
• Emma Zafran with Rep. Houlahan (D-PA)
• Chairman Tim Walberg (R-MI), Chairman John Boozman (R-AR), and Senator Jon Husted (R-OH) for making the time.
• Tom Hiddleston, Hugh Laurie, Camila Morrone, and Diego Calva in The Night Manager Season 2
• And as always, Bruno Mars and Snoop

In our recent survey, we asked, “Is the media portraying Americans as more divided than they are?” 60 percent agree with 37 percent strongly agreeing. There is also solid agreement on the More Paid Leave for More Americans Act when Americans are surveyed. To our Republican and Democratic friends in the Senate, we are eagerly awaiting co-sponsorship.

Congress please don’t let the perfect be the enemy of the good. This legislation is responsible governing and good politics. Take the win, send to President Trump to sign, and cheer for Team USA representing ALL OF US in Italy.

Be kind to one another.