Rep. Schrier’s Statement on House Passage of Pregnant Workers Fairness Act

WASHINGTON, DC – Congresswoman Kim Schrier, M.D. (WA-08) spoke on the floor of the House this week in support of HR 2694, the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act prior to it passing the House. The Pregnant Workers Fairness Act is a bipartisan bill that would set clear, nationwide protections that guarantee pregnant workers the basic right to reasonable accommodations. It would also grant victims of pregnancy discrimination the same remedies as victims of discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, or national origin under federal civil rights laws. Rep. Schrier's remarks are below.

"I had a high-risk pregnancy, complicated by both ‘advanced maternal age' and 24 years of Type 1 Diabetes. I worked until two days before my C-section, and am grateful that my employer allowed for minor accommodations which allowed me to continue to work.

Women are half of our workforce. And 75% of those women will become pregnant at some point. Supporting women during their pregnancies is just as important as pre-natal care, immunizations, affordable childcare, and public education. We can do that by passing this bill as well as supporting programs like WIC that help new and expectant parents provide the proper nutrition and developmental supports to their babies. We all benefit from healthy pregnancy outcomes.

It costs us all when a baby is born prematurely and requires months in intensive care. It costs us all when a fetus is exposed to toxins in utero because we couldn't protect the mother from an unhealthy environment, and that child suffers damage that will require a lifetime of public support. It costs us all when half our workforce may lose or leave their jobs because pregnant women and mothers are not welcomed or supported in the workplace.

Over 40 public health organizations, clinicians, and maternal health providers support this bill... The bipartisan Pregnant Workers Fairness Act simply ensures that reasonable accommodations are made to help pregnant women work safely. And in return, the economy is stronger, family outcomes are better, and children can start life strong and healthy. Everyone wins."