Sanders to Discuss Family Leave Policies in Iowa

[Omaha Steve]

Source: ABC News-AP

By KEN THOMAS

Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders plans to outline steps to provide workers with three months of paid family and medical leave, seeking to draw a contrast with Democratic presidential rival Hillary Clinton on how it would be paid for.

Sanders was set to have a news conference in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, on Friday to discuss his support for a Senate bill that would offer paid leave for people when they have a child or when their family members become sick.

The Sanders campaign said the bill, proposed by New York Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, would be paid for by raising payroll taxes on a typical worker by $1.61 per week. The senator has tried to use the bill, authored by Clinton's successor in the Senate, to bolster his standing in Iowa among women and working families.

Sanders spokesman Michael Briggs said the senator considered raising the tax "a good investment" and said it was comparable to "the same kind of modest investment" used to pay for Social Security and Medicare.

FULL story at link.


Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., speaks during a campaign event, at the Tropicana Hotel in Las Vegas on Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2016. (Mikayla Whitmore/Las Vegas Sun via AP) LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL OUT; MANDATORY CREDIT

Read more: http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/wireStory/sanders-discuss-family-leave-policies-iowa-36153984

[MrBig]

1. This is why I'm so glad Bernie is running

I'm voting for him in the primary even though I know he doesn't really have a shot at actually winning the nomination. And I will very happily support Hillary in the general election.

However, Bernie is bringing to the mainstream VERY important issues that have been swept under the rug for too long. This is how change happens.

[Elmer S. E. Dump]

2. No, you don't know. Only time will tell. Bernie is so under the radar now - that will change.