Washington, DC – As voters in the Granite state prepare to decide between two senate candidates, the Center for American Progress Action Fund released a new video that compares Sen. Kelly Ayotte’s (R-NH) hollow paid family leave plan to New Hampshire Gov. Maggie Hassan’s (D) comprehensive solution for working families.
Despite Sen. Ayotte’s rhetoric on paid family leave programs, her voting record spells a different story: Sen. Ayotte voted against funding for Head Start and has blocked the Paycheck Fairness Act. As the video details, her current paid family leave plan is equally problematic. Her proposed solution, such as business tax credits, would be voluntary and would fail to guarantee any additional access to paid leave for working families.
“Senator Ayotte claims to represent New Hampshire families, but her paid leave proposals are a far cry from the comprehensive solution families need,” said Shilpa Phadke, Senior Director of the Women’s Initiative at the Center for American Progress Action Fund. “From welcoming a new child to recovering from a health crisis, Sen. Ayotte’s sham bills could leave millions of families without any paid family and medical leave at a time when they need it most.”
In a recent poll released by the Center for American Progress Action Fund, the majority of New Hampshire voters were less likely to vote for Ayotte after hearing about her voting four times to block the Paycheck Fairness Act in Congress. In fact, 57 percent of women voters were more likely to vote for a candidate who supports paid family leave and affordable child care.
For more information on this topic or to speak with an expert, contact Beatriz Lopez at [email protected].
Additional resources: Read the Center for American Progress’ issue brief on how proposed business tax credits and pregnancy 401(k)s fall short for working families: Rhetoric vs. Reality: Paid Family and Medical Leave by Sunny Frothingham and Sarah Jane Glynn.