By Danielle Paquette and Damian Paletta
The family leave program could be one, though, that draws interest from Democrats, many of whom have argued for more government support for young families, particularly low-income mothers. A recent study found an estimated quarter of breadwinning moms return to work two weeks after giving birth, regardless of if they’re ready.
“It’s a major step forward, and it’s better than zero, which is what parents are guaranteed now,” said Jeffrey Hayes, program director of job quality and income security at the Institute for Women’s Policy Research. “Trump is the first Republican in the White House to talk about this, so he could get some bipartisan support.”
The proposal also received a cautious welcome from a conservative economist. “It’s a fair starting point to the conversation,” said Abby McCloskey, former policy adviser to Energy Secretary Rick Perry, an early supporter for paid leave on the right. “Trump has the opportunity to push the Republican Party forward and create a new line of thinking.”
