Statement by White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre on Maine Becoming the Thirteenth State to Enact Paid Family and Medical Leave

Today, Maine has become the thirteenth state, along with the District of Columbia, to pass paid family and medical leave legislation. President Biden commends the leadership of Governor Janet Mills, Speaker of the House Rachel Talbot Ross, Senate President Troy Jackson, legislative sponsors, and state and community leaders who made this historic achievement possible.

Paid family and medical leave improves the lives of working families and strengthens our workforce and economy. The Biden-Harris Administration has worked to make the Federal government a model by supporting Federal employees in accessing the leave they need and continues to call for a national, comprehensive paid family and medical leave program. We applaud states like Maine that are making progress on this critical issue.