The following is a statement from A Better Balance Co-Founder and Co-President Dina Bakst:
Today, Congress released the text of the omnibus spending package excluding the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA), despite hundreds of organizations from across the ideological spectrum demanding its inclusion and swift passage into law. Now we once again call on Leader Schumer to find a way to pass this bill, which has the 60+ votes needed, before adjourning Congress. The PWFA could have been brought to the floor for a vote since last spring but the Senate refused to prioritize it and give it the time. Anything short of President Biden signing the PWFA into law is an utter failure and abandonment of millions of working women and mothers on Leader Schumer’s part.
Exclusion of the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act from the omnibus spending package, after months of stalwart advocacy from gender justice and racial justice groups, labor unions, faith leaders, impacted workers, influential spokespeople, business leaders and associations, and hundreds of other supportive organizations is a devastating blow for pregnant and postpartum workers and families in this country, especially women of color in low-wage, frontline jobs, yearning for their elected leaders to finally prioritize their health and financial security.
The Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA) will ensure that expecting and new moms are no longer fired or forced off the job because they need temporary, reasonable accommodations to avoid devastating health complications and support their families.
We are not giving up. There is still time for Leader Schumer and Congressional leaders to find a path forward, including but not limited to, an omnibus amendment. Failure is unacceptable–millions of women across the country are counting on you.
