Senator Tillis blocks the commonsense, bipartisan legislation to protect pregnant workers
***WATCH: Senator Murray pushes to pass the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act***
(Washington, D.C.) – Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Chair of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP), joined Senators Bob Casey (D-PA) and Bill Cassidy (R-LA) on the Senate floor to seek unanimous consent on a time agreement to pass their 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.
But despite passing the HELP Committee in a 19-2 vote, passing the House in an overwhelming bipartisan vote, and receiving broad support, including from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC) objected to an agreement to so much as vote on the legislation.
“I am here today because no one should have to choose between their job and a healthy pregnancy,” Senator Murray said on the floor. “It is outrageous that pregnant women in our country have been pushed out of their jobs by their employers because they asked for an additional bathroom break, because their doctors say they need to avoid heavy lifting, or because their employer can’t be bothered to provide a stool so they can sit down.”
“Let me be clear,” Senator Murray continued. “This is a fundamentally bipartisan bill that we have worked closely with Republicans on. Senator Cassidy co-leads this bill and has been an amazing partner. It passed out of the HELP Committee overwhelmingly. It is supported by Ranking Member Burr. It passed overwhelmingly on a bipartisan House vote. There’s no reason to stand in the way—we can send this to the President’s desk right now.”
The Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA) 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.
Senator Murray’s remarks, as prepared for delivery, are below:
“Thank you, M. President.
“I am here today because no one should have to choose between their job and a healthy pregnancy.
“It is outrageous that pregnant women in our country have been pushed out of their jobs by their employers because they asked for an additional bathroom break, because their doctors say they need to avoid heavy lifting, or because their employer can’t be bothered to provide a stool so they can sit down.
“It is just unconscionable that people who are looking forward to welcoming a new family member, are having their lives upturned are losing the paychecks they depend on to make rent, get groceries, pay for child care, and more.
“All because their employers refuse to provide basic, common sense, low cost, and even no cost accommodations.
“We have to do better.
“That’s why I am here with Senator Casey—who has been such a relentless champion on this issue—to urge all of my colleagues to let us pass the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act, a bipartisan bill that will make sure no one is forced to choose between a job and a healthy pregnancy, and everyone can get the reasonable workplace accommodations they need when they are pregnant.
“Let me be clear, this is a fundamentally bipartisan bill that we have worked closely with Republicans on. Senator Cassidy co-leads this bill and has been an amazing partner. It passed out of the HELP Committee overwhelmingly. It is supported by Ranking Member Burr. It passed overwhelmingly on a bipartisan House vote.
“There’s no reason to stand in the way—we can send this to the President’s desk right now.
“We really are not asking for that much here. This is so simple: Give pregnant workers a break. Give them a seat. Give them a hand.
“Give them the dignity, respect, and basic workplace accommodations they need.
“M. President, this is way, way overdue. I can’t think of anything more common sense. I can’t think of anything less controversial. And I can’t think of a better time to get this done than right now.”
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