The legislation offers a progressive financing mechanism that covers close to 100 percent of low-wage workers' income, meaning workers will no longer be forced to choose between a paycheck and their family.

"A big reason why I went to work for Starbucks seven years ago was because of their inclusiveness of the LGBTQ communities ... That’s why I was so surprised to learn that the paid leave offered to partners (the moniker for store employees) does not extend to fathers or adoptive parents," writes Niko Walker.

In a LinkedIn announcement, Microsoft's Chief People Officer, Kathleen Hogan, wrote that the company is effecting a new global benefit for their employees: family caregiver leave.

Ivanka Trump and Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL) are teaming up for a private forum with members of Congress on “pro-family tax reform initiatives.”

MacKenzie Nicholson was pregnant with her second baby when she found out her mother had a brain tumor. She was forced to take time off to care for her, which cut into the vacation and sick time she was saving to supplement the three weeks of paid maternity her company offers.

[W]e found that about 77% of them, more than three-quarters of small business owners in Connecticut, support the paid family leave legislation,” said Brittany Stalsburg who’s with [the research firm] BLS.

Most people who need time off from work won’t be covered. Meanwhile, the plan’s reliance on the unemployment insurance system almost certainly dooms it to fail — meaning very few parents would even get paid leave anyway.

In a speech on gender inequality at Brown University, Yellen praised workplace policies such as paid family leave and tax-relief for child and elder care. She said such policies increase women’s numbers in the workforce and raise productivity, which boosts the economy.

Paid family leave is proven to reduce stress, increase child survival rates, improve chances of successful breastfeeding, and give mothers time to physically recover after having a baby. Yet, America is the only developed country in the world without a national policy, forcing many women to return to work before they are ready.

According to industry sources, beginning this year, members of the Iron Workers union will be given six months of paid maternity leave. This female ironworkers' paid maternity leave policy is an important win for women in the workforce, especially since this is occurring in such a male-dominated industry.