Fasano: Senate Republicans Would Uphold Governor’s Potential Veto on Unsustainable Paid Family Medical Leave Bill

Senate Republican Leader Len Fasano (R-North Haven) released the following statement today confirming that Connecticut Senate Republicans would uphold Governor Ned Lamont’s anticipated veto of the Democrat-sponsored paid family medical leave bill if it passes both chambers of the General Assembly. Gov. Lamont announced earlier today that should the Democrats’ bill as it is written today end up on his desk, he would veto it. The legislature can only override a veto if two-thirds of members in each chamber vote to do so. Therefore, Republican votes would be required to override any veto in the Senate.

“If Governor Lamont vetoes the Democrat paid family medical leave bill, Senate Republicans stand ready to uphold the governor’s veto. In the governor’s own words, the proposal Democrats have offered today is not a recipe for success. It is top heavy with bureaucracy. It would create a $400 million company for the state to manage, an overwhelming and unsustainable endeavor,” said Fasano.

“Paid family medical leave is not a partisan issue. But Republicans, and now Gov. Lamont in his comments today, have made it clear that we need to create a program that is truly sustainable and that is able to deliver on the benefits it promises. Republicans have offered an alternative paid family medical leave plan that provides job creators with the tools to offer these benefits to attract and retain the best workers in a way that does not overburden taxpayers, workers or employers with unaffordable mandates. We encourage Democrat lawmakers and Gov. Lamont to consider this proposal so we can together move forward to help thousands of workers across our state.”