Clinton: Republicans 'don't mind having big government interfere with a woman's right to choose'

(Image credit: Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

published 14 October 2015

Hillary Clinton does not believe that mandated maternity leave would mean fewer jobs, and said it's time for the United States to join other countries around the world who provide it.

When asked by CNN's Dana Bash if she is proposing another government program at the "expense of taxpayer money," Clinton responded: "When people say that, it's always the Republicans or their sympathizers who say you can't have paid leave, you can't provide health care. They don't mind having big government to interfere with a woman's right to choose and to try to take down Planned Parenthood. They're fine with big government when it comes to that. I'm sick of it."

An animated Clinton continued: "We should not be paralyzed by the Republicans and their constant refrain 'big government this, big government that,' except for what they want to impose on the American people. I know we can afford it because we're going to make the wealthy pay for it."

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Catherine Garcia has worked as a senior writer at The Week since 2014. Her writing and reporting have appeared in Entertainment Weekly, The New York Times, Wirecutter, NBC News and "The Book of Jezebel," among others. She's a graduate of the University of Redlands and the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism.