Washington (CNN) Carly Fiorina says she's glad some companies are offering paid maternity leave -- but the government shouldn't mandate it.

"I'm not saying I oppose paid maternity leave. What I'm saying is I oppose the federal government mandating paid maternity leave to every company out there," Fiorina, the Republican presidential contender, said Sunday in an interview with CNN's Jake Tapper on "State of the Union."

The former Hewlett-Packard executive said her company offered paid maternity leave, and she lauded Netflix's decision to offer new mothers one year of paid leave.

Photos: Carly Fiorina's political career Former business executive Carly Fiorina speaks to guests gathered at the Point of Grace Church for the Iowa Faith and Freedom Coalition 2015 Spring Kickoff on April 25, 2015, in Waukee, Iowa. Hide Caption 1 of 15 Photos: Carly Fiorina's political career Fiorina prepares to speak to guests gathered at the Point of Grace Church for the Iowa Faith and Freedom Coalition 2015 Spring Kickoff on April 25, 2015, in Waukee, Iowa. Hide Caption 2 of 15 Photos: Carly Fiorina's political career Fiorina speaks to guests gathered at the Point of Grace Church for the Iowa Faith and Freedom Coalition 2015 Spring Kickoff on April 25, 2015, in Waukee, Iowa. Hide Caption 3 of 15 Photos: Carly Fiorina's political career Fiorina greets guests at the Johnson County Republicans Spaghetti Dinner at Clear Creek Amana High School on April 24, 2015, in Tiffin, Iowa. Hide Caption 4 of 15 Photos: Carly Fiorina's political career Fiorina, right, poses for a selfie with Joe Koberna at the Johnson County Republicans Spaghetti Dinner at Clear Creek Amana High School on April 24, 2015, in Tiffin, Iowa. Hide Caption 5 of 15 Photos: Carly Fiorina's political career Fiorina speaks at the First in the Nation Republican Leadership Summit April 18, 2015, in Nashua, New Hampshire. Hide Caption 6 of 15 Photos: Carly Fiorina's political career Fiorina speaks during a forum on Capitol Hill March 16, 2015, in Washington. Fiorina spoke about what she calls the War on Women in politics. Hide Caption 7 of 15 Photos: Carly Fiorina's political career Fiorina delivers remarks at a discussion called "Welcoming Every Life: Choosing Life after an Unexpected Prenatal Diagnosis, focusing on caring for children with Down Syndrome," organized by the Heritage Foundation and the National Review Institute in Washington on January 20, 2015. Hide Caption 8 of 15 Photos: Carly Fiorina's political career Fiorina concedes defeat to her rival Sen. Barbara Boxer, D-California, during a news conference at her Irvine campaign headquarters on November 3, 2010, in Irvine, California. Hide Caption 9 of 15 Photos: Carly Fiorina's political career Fiorina, left, watches election results with granddaughter Kara Tribby, 7, in her hotel room at the Hyatt Regency Irvine, November 2, 2010, in Irvine, California. Hide Caption 10 of 15 Photos: Carly Fiorina's political career Fiorina, left, puts on headphones before participating in a radio debate with incumbent U.S. Sen. Barbara Boxer, D-California, in Washington, as co-moderator Gabriel Lerner, metro editor of La Opinion, does the same at local public-radio affiliate KPCC studios September 29, 2010, in Pasadena, California. Hide Caption 11 of 15 Photos: Carly Fiorina's political career Fiorina arrives for a news conference after participating in a debate with U.S. Sen. Barbara Boxer, D-California, in a radio debate hosted by La Opinion and public radio station KPCC on September 29, 2010, at the KPCC studios in Pasadena, California. Hide Caption 12 of 15 Photos: Carly Fiorina's political career Boxer, left, and Fiorina, center, greet moderator Randy Shandobil, right, after a debate on the campus of Saint Mary's College September 1, 2010, in Moraga, California. Hide Caption 13 of 15 Photos: Carly Fiorina's political career Fiorina, left, smiles with her husband Frank Fiorina, right, after casting their ballots at a polling place June 8, 2010, in Los Altos Hills, California. Hide Caption 14 of 15 Photos: Carly Fiorina's political career Fiorina greets supporters after announcing her candidacy for U.S. Senate at Earth Friendly Products packaging plant on November 4, 2009, in Garden Grove, California. Hide Caption 15 of 15

But she said that "for the government to tell others how to do things when the government hasn't gotten its basic house in order is not only ineffective, it's hypocritical."

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