Sen. Romney spoke about how the bill would help young families, particularly those in his home state.
"We have a lot of kids in Utah," said Romney, noting that his is one of only two states in which the birthrate exceeds deaths. Romney said that, while speaking to his constituents, he kept hearing concerns about the financial difficulties families face when they take time away from work to raise a newborn child.
"This piece of legislation allows something to happen that will help ease that burden," said Romney.
Currently, the fertility rate in the United States is at its lowest ever, and no state is currently reproducing at above the replacement level of 2.1 children per family.
When asked what else could be done to encourage families to have children, Sen. Romney told CNA that increased tax credits, a robust economy and more competitive job market would would act as incentivize employers to create family-friendly policies.
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"I think employers are going to increasingly recognize as we have more and more jobs being created and a tighter and tighter labor market, employers are going to find practices that allow people to raise families and still work," said Romney.
"You're going to see those kind of innovations occurring as employers want to attract the best and brightest and have them work in their enterprises," he said. "So one of the things we can do is have such a strong economy, so many jobs being created, that employers are increasing the flexibility allowed for workers to be able to raise families."
The New Parents Act is one of three paid family leave bills currently being considered by Congress. The bill was announced one day after the Senate voted on the Green New Deal, major supporters of which have suggested having children could be bad for the environment.