Big news: the Providing Urgent Maternal Protections (PUMP) for Nursing Mothers Act has been introduced in the Senate with bipartisan support! Now is the time to raise your voice in support of this legislation for breastfeeding mothers.
Contact your Members of Congress about the PUMP Act!
The PUMP for Nursing Mothers Act would expand the Break Time for Nursing Mothers law in two significant ways:
- Ensure that an additional 9 million employees have the right to break time and a private space to pump breast milk.
- Ensure that there is a mechanism for workers to hold their employer accountable if they do not comply.
Breastfeeding employees are counting on you to express your support for this critical legislation. Note: if you have already contacted your Senators and Representative about the PUMP Act, please reach out to them again! The action tool’s messages have been updated to reflect the final bill language and legislative status.
Far too often, breastfeeding employees are forced to choose between breastfeeding and their paycheck. In fact, nearly one in four women of childbearing age are not covered by the current Break Time for Nursing Mothers law. Without simple accommodations, breastfeeding after the return to work can become difficult or even impossible. But it doesn’t have to be. Republican and Democratic lawmakers agree that policy change to expand protections for breastfeeding employees is needed.
The PUMP for Nursing Mothers Act was introduced by Senator Merkley (D-OR), Senator Murkowski (R-AK), Senator Duckworth (D-IL), and Senator Booker (D-NJ). Additional bill sponsors are needed to ensure that the PUMP Act is swiftly passed through Committee and sent to the Senate floor for a vote: ask your legislators to cosponsor!
Together, we can make sure that every breastfeeding employee has the right to pump during their work day. Take action today!
For more information, read the US Breastfeeding Commitee’s press release.