Should the federal government enact a national paid family-leave policy to support new parents?

Guarantee paid leave for new parents at the federal level.

Pros:
It improves maternal and infant health through essential bonding time.
It reduces turnover and recruiting costs for employers.
It advances gender equity by normalizing leave for all caregivers.

Cons:
It requires new funding—likely via payroll taxes.
It may strain small businesses’ finances and operations.
It involves complex coordination with existing state programs.

Conclusion: Federal paid leave fills a vital gap but must be sustainably funded and administered.