Senator Murray Calls for Passage of Pregnant Workers Fairness Act This Congress

Press Release

Today, Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Chair of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP), joined colleagues, advocates, and pregnant workers in pushing for Senate passage of the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA) this Congress to protect pregnant workers and ensure they have the basic workplace accommodations they need to have healthy pregnancies.

"It is unconscionable that people who are looking forward to having a new family member are hearing that their lives will be upturned all because their employers refuse to provide basic accommodations," said Senator Murray. "This is a commonsense, bipartisan bill that will make sure that no one is forced to choose between a job and their pregnancy."

"We've got to get this done this Congress, and I want you to know I'll be fighting to make sure that it gets done," Senator Murray said.

The Pregnant Workers Fairness Act--legislation led by Senators Bob Casey (D-PA), Bill Cassidy (R-LA), and Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), which Senator Murray cleared in the HELP Committee in an overwhelming bipartisan vote--would require employers to make reasonable accommodations for pregnant workers, because no woman should ever have to choose between a healthy pregnancy and being able to keep working to support herself and her family.

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