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Legislative bills

PUMP for Nursing Mothers Act Passes House Committee, On Track for Full House Vote

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Congresswomen Alma Adams, Carolyn B. Maloney, and Jaime Herrera Beutler celebrated the passage of the PUMP for Nursing Mothers Act out of the House Education and Labor Committee, which now moves to the House floor. The bill aims to strengthen the 2010 Break Time law by closing the coverage gap and providing clarity on paid and unpaid pumping time for salaried employees. Advocates emphasize the importance of breastfeeding for at least the first year of life, citing significant health and nutritional benefits for both mothers and infants.

Key Takeaways:

  • The PUMP for Nursing Mothers Act aims to protect an additional 9 million working mothers who have been forced to choose between breastfeeding and earning a paycheck, primarily due to loopholes in the 2010 Break Time law.
  • The bill has broad support from worker advocates, public health and civil rights groups, as well as the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.
  • Advocates emphasize the importance of breastfeeding, citing research that shows if 90% of families breastfed exclusively for six months, nearly 1,000 infant deaths could be prevented each year.
  • The bill provides employers clarity on paid and unpaid pumping time, ensuring that nursing mothers have access to remedies that are available for other violations of the Fair Labor Standards Act.
  • Key lawmakers, including Congresswomen Adams, Maloney, and Underwood, emphasize the need for full passage of the legislation, particularly in light of the ongoing pandemic and maternal health crisis.

Statistics:

  • 9 million working mothers are protected by the 2010 Break Time law, but the PUMP for Nursing Mothers Act aims to close the coverage gap and extend protections to an additional 9 million employees.
  • 90% of families breastfeeding exclusively for six months could prevent nearly 1,000 infant deaths each year (according to research cited by advocates).
  • The PUMP for Nursing Mothers Act has endorsements from the U.S. Breastfeeding Committee, American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), A Better Balance, and UC Hastings Center for WorkLife Law.

Sources:

  • Office of North Carolina Rep. Alma Adams
  • House Committee on Education and Labor
  • Congresswomen Alma Adams (D-NC), Carolyn B. Maloney (D-NY), and Jaime Herrera Beutler (R-WA)
  • House Committee on Education and Labor
  • U.S. Breastfeeding Committee
  • American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU)
  • A Better Balance
  • UC Hastings Center for WorkLife Law

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