Intern Lobby Day: Advocating for the Family and Medical Insurance Leave (FAMILY) Act

NCJW’s Fall 2025 Government Relations and Advocacy (GR&A) interns, Lauren Rosenkrantz and Carly Singer, went to Capitol Hill on December 3rd to advocate for the Family and Medical Insurance Leave (FAMILY) Act. This bill would create the first ever national paid leave program, ensuring millions of Americans can take up to 12 weeks off of work to take care of themselves or their loved ones.

Carly, a recent Boston University graduate from Long Island, New York, met with the staff of Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) and Representative Tom Suozzi (D-NY 3). Lauren, also from Long Island and studying at the George Washington University, met with staff from the offices of Senators Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and Representative Laura Gillen (D-NY 4). Together, with NCJW staff Talya Steinberg and Alex Lehman, they urged their representatives and senators to take action to ensure paid leave for every worker. 

Working families lose an estimated $22.5 billion in wages each year due to a lack of access to paid family and medical leave. On average, workers 50 or older who leave the workforce to care for a parent lose more than $300,000 in wages and retirement. And for women who often bear more of the burden of caregiving, the losses are even greater. 

Carly and Lauren each had the opportunity to share how lack of access to paid leave has affected their lives and their communities, specifically sharing stories of family members who have suffered or seen suffering first hand as the result of currently lacking paid leave policies. By connecting their own experiences to the provisions included in the FAMILY Act, they demonstrated the urgency of passing legislation to ensure every worker can take time off the care for their families. 

This impactful day on Capitol Hill was Carly and Lauren’s first experience lobbying their members of Congress. They felt empowered by the opportunity to connect with the offices of their lawmakers and take part in the legislative process. Lauren and Carly gained a deeper understanding of the core obstacles to care that millions of families across the country face, and the critical need to partner with Members of Congress to advance policy solutions that support women, children, families, and all communities.

You can join Lauren and Carly in urging your lawmakers to pass the passage of the FAMILY Act here!