[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 187 (Monday, October 25, 2021)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1141]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     PROVIDING URGENT MATERNAL PROTECTIONS FOR NURSING MOTHERS ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                        HON. DAVID N. CICILLINE

                            of rhode island

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, October 22, 2021

  Mr. CICILLINE. Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong support of the 
Providing Urgent Maternal Protections for Nursing Mothers Act--known as 
the PUMP Act.
  All too often, the workplace is not an equal place for women as they 
face unequal pay for equal work and other forms of gender-based 
discrimination. Mothers face even greater barriers.
  Mothers who choose to breastfeed should not be forced to choose 
between returning to work and breastfeeding. And they certainly should 
never have to pump in a place that is not safe, private, or 
comfortable.
  The PUMP Act takes the long-overdue step of ensuring that every 
employee who chooses to breastfeed will have the time and a designated, 
private space to pump without penalty.
  Nine million American workers will be covered by these new 
protections, ending unfair, discriminatory practices and allowing more 
mothers and infants to receive the scientifically proven health and 
nutritional benefits of breastfeeding.
  I want to thank Chairwoman Maloney for her leadership on this 
important, bipartisan bill to support working mothers, and her historic 
leadership on supporting working women and families.
  I am proud to support this vital legislation, and I urge all of my 
colleagues to support it as well.

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