Allred Statement on Taking Parental Leave

DALLAS – Congressman Colin Allred (TX-32) left Washington yesterday to return home to Dallas as he and his wife, Alexandra Eber, are expecting the birth of their first child very soon.

Allred released the following statement regarding his paternity leave:

"Aly and I are so thrilled to start this new chapter in our lives, and though there is important work to do in Washington, I will be taking a short paternity leave to be back home in Dallas for the birth of our son.

"Family is so important and as a country we must allow for parents to spend time with their babies because providing parents the ability to stay home during this critical period leads to better outcomes for men, women and families.

"This experience makes it clearer than ever to me that we need to provide basic paid sick leave and paid parental leave so that no matter who you are or where you live, hardworking people can have financial security and peace of mind while spending time with their families.

"Additionally, I look forward to listening to constituents on Sunday during my town hall, and North Texans should know that if they have any issues, questions or concerns they can always call my office at (202)225-2231."

For more information on the importance of paternity leave please see this report from the U.S. Department of Labor: Paternity Leave: Why Parental Leave For Fathers Is So Important For Working Families.