WASHINGTON, DC – Earlier in July, Sen. Tom Cotton introduced legislation that would amend elements of the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) in order to extend benefits to women who unexpectedly lose their children during their pregnancy.
On July 23rd, the Republican senator from Arkansas introduced a bill that would extend benefits traditionally afforded to new mothers under FMLA additionally to women who suffered a loss of a child during their pregnancy. Under the proposed amendment brought forth by Sen. Cotton, the bill was afforded the short title “HEALING Mothers and Fathers Act,” which the acronym stands for “Helping with Equal Access to Leave and Investing in Needs for Grieving.”
If the legislation is passed, FMLA leave will be afforded to what the bill refers to as those who’ve suffered from “spontaneous loss of an unborn child,” emphasizing that said loss cannot arise “from a purposeful act,” such as an abortion. Furthermore, in cases involving stillbirth, the legislation would carve out a refundable tax credit for the parents of said child.
Speaking to The Daily Wire about the proposed FMLA amendment, Sen. Cotton said, “This bill will make sure families receive the resources they need to help recover from the unexpected loss of a child.” While the Arkansas senator is aware that tax credits alone don’t erase the trauma of losing a child, he added, “No amount of money can replace such a loss, but the legislation will make sure parents have time to begin the recovery process.”
Republican Senators Cindy Hyde-Smith and Kevin Cramer have cosponsored the bill, with Mississippi native Sen. Hyde-Smith noting that such legislation is long overdue. “It has taken policymakers too long to recognize that parents should be allowed time to heal following a miscarriage or stillbirth,” the senator from Mississippi stated, further adding, “The loss of a child is devastating and heartbreaking for families, and this legislation formally acknowledges their need for time following such a loss.”
Sen. Cotton introducing this FMLA amendment seems to bear inspiration from a 2021 law passed in his very own state, which said state law afforded tax credits to parents who endured a stillbirth. Arkansas State Rep. Les Eaves brought forth the 2021 law in response to his granddaughter, Paisley, who was stillborn back in February of 2019. The District 58 Republican explained the bill’s reasoning during its movement through the State House, saying at the time, “One day before [my granddaughter] died, she was a perfect, fully formed, beautiful little girl, but she’s not recognized as a dependent at that point.”
On July 23rd, the Republican senator from Arkansas introduced a bill that would extend benefits traditionally afforded to new mothers under FMLA additionally to women who suffered a loss of a child during their pregnancy. Under the proposed amendment brought forth by Sen. Cotton, the bill was afforded the short title “HEALING Mothers and Fathers Act,” which the acronym stands for “Helping with Equal Access to Leave and Investing in Needs for Grieving.”
If the legislation is passed, FMLA leave will be afforded to what the bill refers to as those who’ve suffered from “spontaneous loss of an unborn child,” emphasizing that said loss cannot arise “from a purposeful act,” such as an abortion. Furthermore, in cases involving stillbirth, the legislation would carve out a refundable tax credit for the parents of said child.
Speaking to The Daily Wire about the proposed FMLA amendment, Sen. Cotton said, “This bill will make sure families receive the resources they need to help recover from the unexpected loss of a child.” While the Arkansas senator is aware that tax credits alone don’t erase the trauma of losing a child, he added, “No amount of money can replace such a loss, but the legislation will make sure parents have time to begin the recovery process.”
Republican Senators Cindy Hyde-Smith and Kevin Cramer have cosponsored the bill, with Mississippi native Sen. Hyde-Smith noting that such legislation is long overdue. “It has taken policymakers too long to recognize that parents should be allowed time to heal following a miscarriage or stillbirth,” the senator from Mississippi stated, further adding, “The loss of a child is devastating and heartbreaking for families, and this legislation formally acknowledges their need for time following such a loss.”
Sen. Cotton introducing this FMLA amendment seems to bear inspiration from a 2021 law passed in his very own state, which said state law afforded tax credits to parents who endured a stillbirth. Arkansas State Rep. Les Eaves brought forth the 2021 law in response to his granddaughter, Paisley, who was stillborn back in February of 2019. The District 58 Republican explained the bill’s reasoning during its movement through the State House, saying at the time, “One day before [my granddaughter] died, she was a perfect, fully formed, beautiful little girl, but she’s not recognized as a dependent at that point.”
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