Mike Coffman on Families & Children

Cut budget for domestic violence prevention

Whether it's voting to force women to undergo invasive trans-vaginal ultrasounds, making women pay more for health care or even undermining protections for domestic violence victims, these offenders constitute the worst of the worst:
• Coffman Voted Against Considering Paycheck Fairness Act. [Huffington Post, 4/11/13; H Res 146, Vote #97, 4/11/13]
• Coffman Voted for Budget that Would Slash Domestic Violence Prevention. [H Con Res 96, Vote #177, 4/10/14; White House, 4/09/14]

Voted NO on four weeks of paid parental leave for federal employees.

Proponent's argument to vote Yes:

Rep. STEVE LYNCH (D, MA-9): This bill takes an important step toward improving the Federal Government's ability to recruit and retain a highly qualified workforce by providing paid parental leave to Federal and Congressional employees for the birth, adoption or placement of a child for foster care, which is a benefit that is extended to many in the private sector in other industrialized countries.

Opponent's argument to vote No:Rep. DARRELL ISSA (R, CA-49): This bill sends the wrong message at the wrong time to working American taxpayers and families that are struggling in difficult times. Our economy is in crisis, and deficits are already soaring. This bill does not have one provision to say if you make $170,000 a year, why do we have to give you this benefit, because you have to choose between feeding your children and being with your children? Certainly not. There are no protections against, in fact, those who do not need this special benefit getting it. There are no safeguards at all. As a matter of fact, this bill envisions the $1 billion over 5 years, swelling to $4 billion over 10 years or more because, in fact, they believe it should be 8 weeks of special leave. Federal employees enjoy one of the highest levels of job security, without a doubt, anywhere in the United States. I would venture to say many of them the highest. More importantly, in good times and bad, they keep their jobs.