[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 185 (Tuesday, November 19, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1473]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 INTRODUCTION OF THE BREASTFEEDING MOTHERS JURY DUTY EXCLUSION ACT OF 
                                  2019

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                       HON. ELEANOR HOLMES NORTON

                      of the district of columbia

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, November 19, 2019

  Ms. NORTON. Madam Speaker, I rise today to introduce the 
Breastfeeding Mothers Jury Duty Exclusion Act of 2019. My bill would 
allow breastfeeding mothers summoned for jury service in federal court 
or in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia to be excused from 
service for the period they are breastfeeding an infant. This would be 
optional for the mothers. Breastfeeding mothers would be allowed to 
serve if they do not wish to take the exemption. The benefits of 
breastfeeding are well-documented, and breastfeeding mothers should not 
be deterred from breastfeeding because of a jury summons.
  Under the National Capital Revitalization and Self-Government 
Improvement Act of 1997 (Pub. L. 105-33), Congress took responsibility 
for paying for the D.C. courts and other state-like functions 
previously provided by D.C. The D.C. courts, however, have always been 
under the control of Congress, even when they were funded by the 
District. The Home Rule Act prohibits the District government from 
enacting any law relating to Title 11 of the D.C. Code. Title 11 
establishes the exemptions from jury. Therefore, this bill is necessary 
to provide this exclusion for both the federal and D.C. courts.
  I urge my colleagues to support this bill.

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