To the Editor:

Re “Catching Up on Family Values” (editorial, Feb. 26):

As someone who has spent almost 30 years in Congress fighting to establish and expand family and medical leave benefits in this country, I am always pleased when this critically important issue is given the public attention it deserves, but I was disappointed that your editorial didn’t recognize that the fight to make paid family leave a national policy is already under way in Congress.

In fact, this effort began almost a year ago when Senator Ted Stevens, Republican of Alaska, and I introduced the Family Leave Insurance Act. If enacted, this legislation will allow American workers to take up to eight weeks of paid leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act, helping to make sure that no one is forced in a time of crisis to make the impossible choice between work and family.

This proposal is more than just talk; it represents a strong first step toward paid family leave. Now comes the hard part. It took seven years, three presidents and two vetoes before the Family and Medical Leave Act was signed into law, and if the past is any guide, we’ll likely have another long struggle on our hands.

But I am no stranger to this process and its many challenges, and am already working hard to garner more support for the bill among my Senate colleagues.

Just two weeks ago, I held a hearing to examine the bill and raise awareness about the issue. We’re in for an uphill battle; I hope that the next time you raise the real need for paid family leave that you will use this page to encourage other members of Congress to join the fight.

Chris Dodd
U.S. Senator from Connecticut
Washington, Feb. 27, 2008