"[T]he proposal would create a self-financing mechanism for paid parental leave, removing one of the biggest obstacles to federal legislation establishing a national paid leave program. New parents would essentially borrow against their own future retirement benefits.... A Social Security-for-parental leave scheme ... could be construed as diverting scarce Social Security funds to a purpose different from retirement security.... [T]he proposal makes clear that momentum is building to make paid leave a matter of national policy -- parental, family and sick leave."  MORE >>