Introduction of the Breastfeeding Mothers Jury Duty Exclusion Act of 2019

Floor Speech

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Ms. NORTON. Madam Speaker, I rise today to introduce the Breastfeeding Mothers Jury Duty Exclusion Act of 2019. My bill would allow breastfeeding mothers summoned for jury service in federal court or in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia to be excused from service for the period they are breastfeeding an infant. This would be optional for the mothers. Breastfeeding mothers would be allowed to serve if they do not wish to take the exemption. The benefits of breastfeeding are well-documented, and breastfeeding mothers should not be deterred from breastfeeding because of a jury summons.

Under the National Capital Revitalization and Self-Government Improvement Act of 1997 (Pub. L. 105-33), Congress took responsibility for paying for the D.C. courts and other state-like functions previously provided by D.C. The D.C. courts, however, have always been under the control of Congress, even when they were funded by the District. The Home Rule Act prohibits the District government from enacting any law relating to Title 11 of the D.C. Code. Title 11 establishes the exemptions from jury. Therefore, this bill is necessary to provide this exclusion for both the federal and D.C. courts.

I urge my colleagues to support this bill.

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