Washington, DC — (RI) — Iowa Senator Joni Ernst, a Republican from Red Oak, has unveiled a plan for new parents to use some of their Social Security savings to pay for time off work to be with the new child.
The plan does have some critics.
Ernst says it is a starting point in the discussion and gives people another option if their employer doesn’t offer paid family leave.
She is introducing the legislation with Republican Senator Mike Lee of Utah, and calls it the “Cradle Act.”
Some critics say it would undermine Social Security and force seniors to work longer. But Ernst says it is one option that would not add a lot of cost to implement.
Ernst says her plan would apply to biological and adopted children. Democrats have proposed a different plan that would institute a small payroll tax to provide up to twelve weeks to care for any loved one.
