Today, the 5th Circuit issued a decision in Texas v. Bondi, a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act’s passage in 2022. This landmark federal law guarantees reasonable workplace accommodations for pregnancy and reproductive health conditions for workers nationwide, a first of its kind critical protection for millions of women and pregnant people.
The Court ruled that the law was in fact passed constitutionally, and determined that the Constitution’s Quorum Clause does not require members’ physical presence for a congressional vote. The initial challenge to the law is part of a broader trend of attorneys general in conservative states challenging the PWFA, one of the largest federal civil rights wins in recent history.
The following is a statement from A Better Balance President Inimai Chettiar:
“We are elated to see the 5th Circuit accurately determine that the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act was, in fact, constitutionally passed. This landmark law has been a lifeline for countless pregnant workers since taking effect two years ago. Amidst widespread attacks on women by the Trump Administration, protections like the PWFA are more important than ever, and keep countless women attached to their jobs and paychecks without having to risk the health of their pregnancies. Despite attacks on this law in courts, the PWFA remains the law of the land and can continue supporting workers nationwide.
A Better Balance led the campaign to pass the PWFA and leads litigation efforts across the country to protect the law. We look forward to seeing pregnant and postpartum workers continue to exercise their hard-won rights under the PWFA, and we will continue to defend these vital protections.
The decision vacated a lower court’s injunction, which previously blocked enforcement of the law for Texas state employees, meaning, once implemented, it will restore thousands of workers’ rights to reasonable accommodations during and after pregnancy. The ramifications of Texas v. Bondi don’t just apply to this essential civil rights law – the court’s affirmation of proxy voting’s legitimacy has also preserved the integrity of our democratic process and confirmed the validity of a wide array of other critical legislation, including laws protecting veterans, supporting public health, and keeping our economy strong.”