[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 65 (Thursday, May 9, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E632]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              INTRODUCTION OF SUPPORTING WORKING MOMS ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. CAROLYN B. MALONEY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 9, 2013

  Mrs. CAROLYN B. MALONEY of New York. Mr. Speaker, today I am 
introducing an important piece of legislation, the Breastfeeding 
Promotion Act with my colleagues Ms. Moore, Mr. Levin, Mr. Rangel, Mr. 
Grijalva, Mr. Cicilline, Ms. Lee, Mr. Conyers.
  The health benefits of breastfeeding, to both mother and child, are 
significant. Scientific studies show babies who are breastfed the first 
six months of life have a greatly reduced risk for acute and chronic 
disease, yet only ten percent of all infants in the U.S. are breastfed.
  A 2001 USDA study found that if just half of the babies in the U.S. 
were exclusively breastfed for six months (as recommended by the United 
States Surgeon General), our nation would realize a savings of $3.6 
billion in health care costs for the three leading childhood illnesses 
alone. According to the United States Breastfeeding Committee, if we 
replicate that study based on current breastfeeding statistics, the 
savings could reach nearly $11 billion in health care costs for all 
childhood illnesses in a single year.
  I was so proud to partner with Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR) to pass 
into law a provision of our bill, the Breastfeeding Promotion Act of 
2009 (H.R. 2819, S. 1744), in comprehensive health care reform 
legislation signed by President Obama on March 23, 2010. The provision 
requires that employers provide breastfeeding employees, who are hourly 
workers, with ``reasonable break time'' and a private, non-bathroom 
place to express breast milk during the workday, up until the child's 
first birthday.
  This was a great success but more work needs to be done. Our bill 
will further encourage and promote breastfeeding by removing common 
obstacles to breastfeeding and expressing milk in the workplace that 
many women face. This bill expands the requirement under current law 
for employers to provide break time to express breast milk, as well as 
make reasonable efforts to provide a private place for them to do so, 
to salaried workers in traditional work or office environments.
  Public opinion and awareness of the benefits of breastfeeding 
continue to grow, and the momentum we've recently gained presents the 
perfect opportunity to build on that progress in achieving our goals.
  We urge all of our colleagues to support this important legislation. 
The health and economic benefits of breastfeeding are overwhelming and 
public opinion and awareness of these benefits continue to grow. We 
must ensure that working moms who choose to breastfeed have the support 
they need to do so.
  We urge all of our colleagues to support this important legislation.

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