He will support creating a universal paid family and medical leave program providing up to 12 weeks of paid leave for full-time, part-time, and self-employed workers.

Neal’s plan would provide up to 12 weeks of universal paid medical and family leave for full- and part-time workers, including those who are self-employed.

Neal's plan would establish up to 12 weeks of universal paid family and medical leave for full-time, part-time, and self-employed workers.

Key House Democrat unveils economic plan to support families | Congressman Richard Neal
secondary · other · model gpt-5.5

The FMLA entitles eligible employees of covered employers to take unpaid, job-protected leave for qualifying family and medical reasons. DOL lists up to 12 workweeks, but only for eligible employees of covered employers and subject to tenure, hours, and worksite requirements.

As of the 2026 DOL page, federal baseline family and medical leave remains unpaid and limited by eligibility rules, not a universal paid program for full-time, part-time, and self-employed workers.

never later_term

U.S. Department of Labor: Family and Medical Leave Act
secondary · model gpt-5.5 · confidence 95%

H.R.804 was introduced February 4, 2021 and referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means. The bill was titled the FAMILY Act and sought paid family and medical leave benefits, with benefits not to exceed 60 caregiving days per benefit period and wages/self-employment income included in benefit calculations.

The FAMILY Act matched the promised policy design closely, including paid benefits and self-employment income, but it remained introduced/referred and did not become law in the 117th Congress.

partial same_term A for effort

Congress.gov: H.R.804 - FAMILY Act, 117th Congress
secondary · model gpt-5.5 · confidence 90%

Axios reported that Rep. Richard Neal, chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, said: "Paid family and medical leave must be in the final package."

This is direct reporting of Neal supporting inclusion of paid family and medical leave in the Build Back Better reconciliation package.

partial same_term A for effort

Axios: Democrats brace for staredown over paid family medical leave
secondary · model gpt-5.5 · confidence 86%

The Clerk records Roll Call 385 on H.R.5376, the Build Back Better Act, as an On Passage vote on November 19, 2021. Status: Passed. Yeas: 220; nays: 213.

The House passed Build Back Better, a package that at the House stage included paid leave language; Neal, a House Democrat from Massachusetts, supported the broader package. The bill did not ultimately enact that paid leave program.

partial same_term A for effort

Office of the Clerk: Roll Call 385, H.R.5376 Build Back Better Act
secondary · model gpt-5.5 · confidence 84%

Congress.gov records H.R.5376 passed the House on November 19, 2021, passed the Senate with an amendment on August 7, 2022, and became Public Law No. 117-169 on August 16, 2022. The public law text shown is the Inflation Reduction Act and does not include a universal paid family and medical leave program.

The reconciliation vehicle that once carried House paid leave provisions became law only after Senate amendment; the enacted law did not create the promised universal paid leave program.

never same_term A for effort

H.R.5376 - 117th Congress: Inflation Reduction Act
secondary · model gpt-5.5 · confidence 90%

H.R.3481 was introduced May 18, 2023, referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means, and had 173 cosponsors. It proposed paid family and medical leave benefits and limited benefits to 60 caregiving days per benefit period. Congress.gov lists the bill status as Introduced, with latest House action on December 17, 2024.

A later-term FAMILY Act again proposed a 12-week-equivalent paid leave program but did not advance to enactment.

partial later_term A for effort

Congress.gov: H.R.3481 - FAMILY Act, 118th Congress
secondary · model gpt-5.5 · confidence 82%