Obama: Workplace Family Leave Policies Would Be Different if Men Had Babies

OBAMA: "And in the coming weeks, Congress will have a chance to go even further by voting yes or no on what is called the Paycheck Fairness Act. Right now the majority of the senators support that bill, but so far Republicans have blocked it. We have got to get them to change their minds and join us in this century, because a woman deserves equal pay for equal work. It's pretty straightforward. [cheers and applause]

"And Congress should not stop there. A woman deserves workplace policies that protect her right to have a baby without losing her job. It's pretty clear that, if men were having babies, we would have different policies. [laughter] We know that, that's for certain. A woman deserves to take a day off to care for sick child or parent without running into hardship. [cheers and applause] Congress needs to act so that Americans join every other advanced nation on earth by offering paid leave to those who work hard every day. It is time to do away with some of these workplace policies that belong in a 'Mad Men' episode. We have got to make sure every woman has the opportunity that she deserves, because when women succeed, Americans succeed. I truly believe that."