Strickland Amendment to Strengthen Workplace Equity for Women & Mothers Passes House

Washington, DC– Congresswoman Marilyn Strickland (WA-10), a member of the Black Maternal Health Caucus and a Leader in the Pro-Choice Caucus, released the following statement after the House passed her amendment to H.R.3110, the PUMP for Nursing Mothers Act, legislation which protects workers by expanding access to breastfeeding accommodations in the workplace. Representative Strickland’s amendment strengthens the bill by directing the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to conduct a study on racial disparities in access to pump breastmilk in the workplace, and requires the GAO to report recommendations to Congress to address those disparities. (Watch Strickland’s remarks here, and read Strickland’s amendment text here.)

“Women, and especially women of color, face far too many barriers when they return from maternity leave and re-enter the workforce. Breastfeeding accommodations should not be one of them. My amendment to H.R. 3110, the PUMP for Nursing Mothers Act, ensures that as Congress expands access to breastfeeding accommodations in the workplace, we do so equitably. We must ensure that women and mothers from all backgrounds have the support they deserve in the workplace,” said Strickland.