McEachin Statement on House Passage of Pregnant Workers Fairness Act

Statement

Congressman A. Donald McEachin (VA-04) today released the following statement on the House Passage of the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act, bipartisan legislation he co-sponsored to establish a pregnant worker's clear-cut right to reasonable accomodations, providing they do not impose an undue burden on their employer.

"Women should not be denied employment opportunities or forced out of jobs because of pregnancy, yet four decades after the Pregnancy Discrimination Act became law, pregnant workers in America continue to face unjust and unnecessary obstacles in the workplace.

"The protections outlined in this bill are long overdue. As many Americans are grappling with dual economic and public health crises caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, it is critical that we do more to protect pregnant workers and ensure their employers provide reasonable accommodations to keep them safe.

"I am pleased to have helped pass the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act to ensure moms-to-be are treated fairly at work."

BACKGROUND

Congressman McEachin has worked diligently to spotlight the maternal mortality crisis in Congress, introducing a resolution urging federal action to lower maternal mortality rates and mitigate stark race-based disparities in maternal health outcomes. In February, he joinedChesapeake resident and Sisters in Loss president Erica McAfee in highlighting her local maternal health story ahead of the 2020 State of the Union Address.

Building on that work, alongside members of the Black Maternal Health Caucus, Congressman McEachin co-introduced The Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act of 2020 (Momnibus), a historic legislative package to address the United States' urgent maternal health crisis. The Momnibus will build on existing maternal health legislation by filling gaps through nine new bills to comprehensively address every dimension of the maternal health crisis.

On September 19, 2020, Congressman McEachin will host a virtual maternal mortality roundtable via Zoom. The roundtable is open to the public. Interested parties can register here.

About the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act:

There is currently no federal law that explicitly and affirmatively guarantees all pregnant workers the right to basic accommodations -- such as appropriate seating, water breaks, and relief from heavy lifting -- so they can continue working without jeopardizing their pregnancy.

The Pregnant Workers Fairness Act has broad support from more than 200 worker advocates, civil rights groups, and the business groups, including the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. In a recent survey of voters across the country, 89 percent said they support the proposal, including 81 percent of Republicans, 86 percent of Independents, and 96 percent of Democrats.

Under the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act:

Private sector employers with more than 15 employees as well as public sector employers must make reasonable accommodations for pregnant workers (employees and job applicants with known limitations related to pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions).
Similar to the Americans with Disabilities Act, employers are not required to make an accommodation if it imposes an undue hardship on an employer's business.
Pregnant workers cannot be denied employment opportunities, retaliated against for requesting a reasonable accommodation, or forced take paid or unpaid leave if another reasonable accommodation is available.

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