PHOTO: Ernst, Fellow Female Senators Talk Paid Leave with Ivanka Trump

Ivanka Trump and Senator Joni Ernst discussing paid parental leave.

WASHINGTON—Today, U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA) hosted a meeting with Ivanka Trump and other female Senators Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Susan Collins (R-ME), Deb Fischer (R-NE), and Martha McSally (R-AZ) to discuss paid parental leave.

“I’m glad Congress and the Trump Administration are working hard to address the needs of modern families,” said Senator Joni Ernst. “I so often hear from Iowa parents who struggle to balance family and work; and, I hear from our small business owners who just simply can’t afford to provide this option. We don’t need to create some massive government mandate. We need a conservative, family focused, budget neutral approach to paid leave that allows parents the flexibility to spend time with their newborn or adopted child in those precious first few weeks.”

“Today we had a productive working session on Paid Family Leave with an action-oriented group of conservative female Senators. Momentum continues to build with bipartisan efforts advancing to pass Paid Family Leave legislation. This is something we must achieve to support America’s hard working families,” said Ivanka Trump, advisor to the president.

“As a working mom and grandmother, I know how important paid family leave is to families in Tennessee,” said Senator Blackburn. “It was a pleasure to discuss this issue with Senator Ernst, Ivanka Trump and my Senate colleagues today. I look forward to working together to improve the lives of families across our country.”

“Ivanka is a passionate advocate for working families and mothers across the United States.  We had a constructive conversation today about the next steps we can take to find a bipartisan solution that supports American workers and families,” said Senator Collins. “I will continue to work with my colleagues, as well as the administration, to build on the paid family leave tax credit that is available to employers under the tax reform law and produce legislation that helps working parents succeed.”

“Access to paid family leave for working families who are juggling responsibilities at home and in the workplace has long been a priority for me in the U.S. Senate. We passed the first ever nationwide paid family leave policy as part of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. I look forward to continuing to work with Ivanka Trump, the administration, and my colleagues in Congress to move forward in helping America’s families,” said Senator Fischer.

“Working parents shouldn’t have to make a choice between maintaining their career or starting a family,” said Senator McSally. “American families need flexibility when it comes to doing both. I appreciate Ivanka Trump’s efforts on easing the burden on families with both moms and dads in the workforce. I look forward to continue working with the White House and my colleagues in the Senate on both sides of the aisle to enact a practical, family-oriented policies.”

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