The United States has one of the lowest breastfeeding rates in the industrialized world and one of the highest rates of infant mortality. We need to do all we can to support mothers when they decide to breastfeed. That is why I have introduced legislation to protect a mothers right to breastfeed and promote breastfeeding among working mothers.

Full Text of H.R. 2819

In 1998, I was proud to introduce a comprehensive bill promoting breastfeeding and protecting women who choose to breastfeed. I am very pleased that one of the provisions of that bill allowing states to spend more money on breastfeeding promotion and support through the Women, Infant, and Children (WIC) nutrition program was enacted into law.

In 1999, my right to breastfeed amendment was passed as part of the FY 2000 budget, ensuring a woman's right to breastfeed her child on any portion of Federal property where the woman and her child are otherwise authorized to be.

In the 111th Congress, I have reintroduced the Breastfeeding Promotion Act (H.R. 2819), with my colleagues Rep. Lois Capps (D-CA), Rep. John Olver (D-MA), Rep. Barney Frank (D-MA), Rep. Lucille Roybal-Allard (D-CA), Rep. Sander Levin (D-MI), Rep. Gregory Meeks (D-NY), Rep. Marcy Kaptur (D-OH), Rep. Vic Snyder (D-AZ), Rep. Allyson Schwartz (D-PA), and Rep. Jim Moran (D-VA).  This bill would encourage and promote breastfeeding by removing common obstacles to breastfeeding and expressing milk in the workplace that many women face.

Senator Jeff Merkley of Oregon is introducing a companion bill in the Senate making this the first Congress there will be a Senate companion bill of this critically important piece of legislation.

Many women who have contacted my office on this issue have been fired or discriminated against for expressing milk during the day. Some have been harassed on the job, or had their pay docked because they used their regular breaks or lunchtime to pump milk. Some have purchased breastpumps that were painful, ineffective, or damaging. I am interested in hearing from you if you have experienced one of these situations.

I have also heard from many employers who have had great success in opening "nursing mothers rooms." I am interested in hearing from companies that have put such a room in place.

Thank you for your interest in this important issue. I am hopeful that public support for breastfeeding legislation will allow mothers who make the choice to breastfeed to be protected and supported when and if they return to the workplace.