WASHINGTON — Today, U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), a member of the U.S. Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee, released the following statement on President Obama’s executive order requiring federal contractors to provide their employees with up to seven days of paid sick leave per year:

“No matter where you live or where you work, no one should have to choose between a paycheck and your health. Workers should be able to care for themselves and their families without risking a day’s income or their job security, and the President’s action is a good step to help working families succeed.

“Connecticut has been a leader on this issue – becoming the first state in the nation to ensure that residents have paid sick leave through their employers – and I applaud the President for expanding our efforts with this executive order. Now it’s time for Congress to step up and fight for working families across America by passing policies like the Healthy Families Act, which I’m proud to support.”