[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 65 (Wednesday, May 9, 2012)]
[House]
[Page H2459]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     PREGNANT WORKERS FAIRNESS ACT

  (Mr. NADLER asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. NADLER. Mr. Speaker, I rise to urge my colleagues to become 
cosponsors of my bill, the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act.
  While current law prohibits discrimination based on pregnancy, 
childbirth, or related medical conditions, and directs employers to 
treat pregnancies the same as any other condition that might 
temporarily limit an employee's ability to perform some job functions, 
these protections have proven inadequate. Case law shows that courts 
are uncertain, even confused, about the scope of the law, requiring 
Congress to set the record straight.
  While several States have clarified pregnant workers' rights, this is 
a national problem that warrants a national solution. My bill would 
require an employer to make reasonable accommodations for these workers 
unless this creates an undue hardship on the employer. An employer 
would be prevented from forcing a pregnant worker to take an 
accommodation that she does not want or need, and an employer would be 
prevented from forcing a pregnant worker to take leave when another 
reasonable accommodation could keep her on the job.
  This is a simple solution to a problem our women and families should 
not be facing. I urge my colleagues to become a cosponsor of this bill 
to ensure that a pregnant woman need never decide between maintaining a 
healthy pregnancy and maintaining her paycheck.

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