Thread by @SenErikaGeiss

Today, (Feb. 5, 2021) is the 28th anniversary of the Family Medical Leave Act. It is the first bill that Fmr. Pres. Clinton signed into law.
Congressman William D. Ford (Bill to many of us) was among the #FLMA architects & in 1993 represented Taylor, Mich.

A 🧵👇🏾1/8

We know now (almost 3 decades later) what Bill knew then—that even with such bold, progressive legislation that aimed to help working people have time to care for themselves & their families that it didn’t go far enough. 2/8

I’m not just guessing this. When Bill was still alive, he told me & my husband so during one of our many conversations after he’d retired from Congress. 3/8

The whole concept of the #FMLA was so good then that other countries have since made their own leave policies that go much further, leaving the U.S. as one of 2 major nations w/o a #PaidLeave policy that protects all workers.

👉🏾 bit.ly/2YL59Rt

4/8

In ‘93, when #FMLA was signed, it was 28 years after Bill first entered the halls of Congress.

This year of #FMLA28, is the perfect time to broaden FMLA so that all workers have #PaidLeave. #FMLA currently leaves out 2/5ths of workers. 5/8

👉🏾 bit.ly/3cWzHIn

We can do it.

And to paraphrase what Bill says in this CSPAN video from the #FMLA bill signing, because of what was done in November, Congress can take the bold steps to enact #PaidLeaveforAll.

Watch: 👉🏾 bit.ly/39Nfti1

6/8

We’ve learned from covid that having #PaidLeave would’ve helped many be able to care for themselves & their loved ones w/o the sacrifice of paycheck or health. Congress knew too, but the emergency covid paid leave expired in December. It’s time to make it a reality for all. 7/8

#PaidLeaveForAll is necessary now & is the right thing to do.

👉🏾 bit.ly/3jjKmhj

It’s time to go beyond #FMLA and make Paid Leave a reality for all.
#FMLA28 /end

Note: One small correction.
Bill Ford represented Taylor in Congress until the end of ‘92. Because of redistricting, 1993 was the first year that he did not.