This Father’s Day, let’s put families first: a bipartisan call to action

Father’s Day is a time to celebrate the joys of parenthood and reflect on what it takes to truly support families. As two fathers serving in the Arkansas House of Representatives, we know firsthand how important those early and formative weeks are.

It’s a critical time for mothers recovering physically and emotionally from birth, filled with sleepless nights, exciting first milestones and powerful bonding that shapes who we are as parents.

We come from different parts of the state and different sides of the political aisle, but unite in a belief that strengthening families must be a shared priority and that includes ensuring parents can be present during the critical, early months of a child’s life.

In the 2025 legislative session, the General Assembly made maternal health a top priority. From the passage of the Healthy Moms, Healthy Babies Act to expanding paid maternity leave for public school employees, we were proud to see our colleagues in the legislature work together on bipartisan solutions that move Arkansas in the right direction. These are exactly the kinds of sustainable investments families need to thrive.

These are not partisan wins; they are family wins. When parents are supported, meaning they can take time off, access and provide care and return to work without the fear of losing their job, the entire state benefits. Healthier families mean stronger communities, a more stable workforce, a prosperous economy, and better outcomes for children long-term.

While this session marked a turning point, there is still more work to be done. Paid family leave shouldn’t stop at the school door. According to the National Partnership for Women and Families, 73% of workers do not have access to paid leave. That means nearly one million Arkansans are left with the impossible choice between getting a paycheck or taking care of their family. And under the federal Family and Medical Leave Act, unpaid leave is still inaccessible for 64% for Arkansas families. We must find solutions that encourage businesses to value the caregiving at home just as much as what happens on the clock.

We may come to this work from different perspectives, but we agree that a pro-family state requires more than rhetoric – it requires action. That’s why we both introduced legislation, HB1004 (Pilkington) and HB1008 (Collins), to expand postpartum Medicaid coverage from 60 days to 12 months. While these bills did not pass this session, they reflect shared priorities that transcend party lines. The debate continues to move us forward, showing a united front to our constituents that maternal health is not a red or blue issue, it’s a family issue.

These are more than policy wins, they’re a statement of values. They show our constituents that we believe in showing up for families, in supporting the caregiving work that often goes unseen and in building a healthier, more stable economy for Arkansas families to thrive.

This Father’s Day, let’s recognize the role dads play in building strong families — and let’s back that recognition with action. When we support families, we support the future of our state. Arkansas has a unique opportunity to build on this bipartisan momentum and make our state a national model for pro-family policies. We can, and must, do better for moms, dads and babies, and as policymakers, this is a shared responsibility that we are proud to carry forward together.

Editor’s note: Rep. Andrew Collins, D-Little Rock, represents District 73 and serves as House Minority Leader in the Arkansas House of Representatives. Rep. Aaron Pilkington, R-Knoxville, represents District 45 and was a lead sponsor of the Healthy Moms, Healthy Babies Act. The opinions expressed are those of the authors.