How to Contact Your Representative About Paid Family Leave

The Issue

What's at Stake

The United States is one of only a handful of countries in the world without a national paid family leave program. The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) guarantees only unpaid leave, and only for workers at larger employers who have been there long enough to qualify. Millions of workers — particularly low-wage workers, part-time workers, and employees at small businesses — have no access to any form of paid family or medical leave.

Legislation for a national paid family leave program has been introduced repeatedly but has not passed. Your representatives vote on whether working parents, caregivers, and people with serious medical conditions can take time off without losing their income.

Only 27%

Of private sector workers have access to paid family leave through their employer

12 weeks

Of unpaid, job-protected leave guaranteed by FMLA — if you qualify

Number of states with comprehensive paid family leave laws — most workers are uncovered

Take Action

How to Contact Your Representative — Step by Step

Find your representatives

Enter your ZIP code in RepReach to see your House rep and both Senators with direct phone numbers.

Call to support a national paid family leave program

'I urge you to support legislation creating a national paid family and medical leave program' is a clear, actionable ask.

Connect it to your personal experience

If you've had to choose between your job and caring for a newborn, sick family member, or your own illness, one sentence about that gives your call immediate human weight.

Follow up in writing

RepReach generates a personalized written message based on your position.

What to Say

Tips for Your Call or Email

📍

Start with your city. Constituent contacts are logged by location.

👶

Personal experience is especially powerful here. If you've faced the impossible choice between income and caregiving, one sentence about it is more persuasive than any argument.

🎯

Ask for a national program. 'I support a national paid family and medical leave program' is a clear, loggable position.

⏱️

Under 60 seconds is ideal. Brief and clear is always best.

RepReach writes your script for you

Tap. Script. Call. Done.

Tell the app where you stand and add any personal details — RepReach builds a complete, personalized call or email script around your story. No blank page, no guessing what to say.

Learn More →

Common Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the FAMILY Act?

The FAMILY Act would create a national paid family and medical leave program, providing workers with up to 12 weeks of partial wage replacement when they need to take time off for the birth or adoption of a child, a serious personal illness, or to care for a seriously ill family member.

Why doesn't the U.S. have national paid family leave?

Unlike virtually every other wealthy country, the U.S. has left family leave policy largely to states and employers. Federal legislation has passed the House multiple times but has not advanced in the Senate, in part due to debates over how to fund the program.

Does calling about paid family leave make a difference?

Yes. Paid family leave polls at over 80% support across party lines, and sustained constituent pressure has moved members who were previously opposed or undecided to support legislation. It is one of the most broadly popular policy proposals in Congress.

How do I find my representative's phone number?

Enter your ZIP code in the RepReach app to instantly find your House representative and both U.S. Senators with their direct district office phone numbers.

Turn awareness into action

Your voice matters. Use it.