WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Deb Fischer (R-Neb.) today reintroduced two bills to make life easier and more flexible for American families: The Workplace Advancement Act and the Strong Families Act.

The Workplace Advancement Act, which Senator Fischer introduced with Senators Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) and Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), would empower individuals to negotiate their salaries more effectively. The bipartisan Strong Families Act, which Senator Fischer reintroduced with Senator Angus King (I-Maine), would encourage employers to voluntarily offer paid leave.

“For nearly four years in the Senate, I have led conversations on equal pay and paid leave. I’m reintroducing these proposals today to empower Americans to effectively negotiate wages and provide flexibility for the many families juggling responsibilities at home and at work. These ideas have bipartisan support in Congress. The White House has expressed strong interest in making progress on them. Let’s seize this opportunity and make a difference for families across this country.”

The Workplace Advancement Act would prevent punitive action against employees who seek or share wage information. The language is similar to President Obama’s 2014 executive order, which applied to federal contractors. It would enable employees to freely discuss their wages, gain information, and negotiate for the salaries they want. Senator Fischer introduced versions of this legislation in the past two Congresses.

The Strong Families Act would create a tax credit to incentivize businesses to offer at least two weeks of paid family leave per year. The leave would be separate from other vacation or sick leave, and workers could take it on an hourly basis. Employers would receive a nonrefundable tax credit equal to 25 percent of what they pay employees during their leave. Fischer and King also introduced versions of this bill the past two Congresses.

Earlier this week, the Washington Post reported that the White House staff is working on a new paid leave proposal that would include women and men.

Click here to read the full text of the Workplace Advancement Act.

Click here to read the full text of the Strong Families Act. 

Watch Senator Fischer’s remarks on these proposals at the

American Enterprise Institute.

Watch Senator Fischer’s Workplace Advancement Act video.

 

# # #