Washington, DC - United States Senators Elizabeth Warren (Mass.), Steve Daines (Mont.), and Tammy Duckworth (Ill.) today introduced the Fairness for Breastfeeding Mothers Act. The bill requires most federal buildings to have dedicated rooms for breastfeeding mothers.

 

“Breastfeeding has significant benefits for the health and wellbeing of a baby and it's mother,"  said Senator Warren. "Mothers deserve the flexibility to be able to breastfeed or pump as needed. It is well past time for women to have dedicated space in public buildings to take care of their babies, consistent with federal recommendations on rooms for nursing mothers.”

 

“Mothers who are breastfeeding should have a private, clean, and safe place to go in federal buildings,” said Senator Daines. “This bill provides this important resource to new moms.”

“Breastfeeding has long-lasting health benefits that protect mothers and children from illnesses, which is why we should continue to build on the progress made by the FAM Act in making it easier for moms and children to find clean and accessible spaces to express breastmilk,” said Senator Duckworth. “I’m pleased to join Senator Daines in supporting this bipartisan legislation requiring these spaces in all public federal buildings.”

The bill requires that federal buildings that are open to the public and contain a public restroom provide a lactation room, other than a bathroom, that is hygienic and is available for use by members of the public who are breastfeeding. Consistent with federal recommendations on rooms for nursing mothers, the lactation room must be shielded from view, be free from intrusion, and contain a chair, a working surface, and if the building is supplied with electricity, an electrical outlet.

  

In November 2017, Senator Warren joined Senators Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) and Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), and colleagues to announce the introduction of the Supporting Working Moms Act of 2017. This bipartisan legislation would help ensure that more working mothers can continue to breastfeed their babies after they return to work. 

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