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Rep. Carolyn Maloney Supports a Woman's Decision to Breastfeed
Rep. Maloney hosted a "nurse in" for nursing mothers on Capitol Hill on May 5, 2005. The mothers spoke out about their rights to breastfeed and the health benefits of breastfeeding, as Rep. Maloney reintroduced her Breastfeeding Promotion Act.
Dear Friends:
In 1998, I was proud to introduce a comprehensive bill promoting breastfeeding
and protecting women who choose to breastfeed. I am very pleased that
one of the provisions of that bill allowing states to spend more money
on breastfeeding promotion and support through the Women, Infant, and
Children (WIC) nutrition program was enacted into law.
Many women who have contacted my office on this issue have been fired
or discriminated against for expressing milk during the day. Some have
been harassed on the job, or had their pay docked because they used their
regular breaks or lunchtime to pump milk. Some have purchased breastpumps
that were painful, ineffective, or damaging.
I am interested in hearing from you
if you have experienced one of these situations.
I have also heard from many employers who have had great success in
opening "nursing mothers rooms."
I am interested in hearing from companies
that have put such a room in place.
During the 106th Congress, I introduced four individual bills on this subject.
In the 107th Congress, I introduced H.R. 285, the Breastfeeding Promotion Act. For a summary of this legislation, click here.
During the 108th Congress, I introduced H.R. 2790, the Breastfeeding Promotion Act. For a summary of this legislation, click here.
This Congress, I hosted a Nurse-In on Capitol Hill to re-introduce H.R. 2122, the Breastfeeding Promotion Act. For a summary of this legislation, click here.
Thank you for your interest in this important issue. I am hopeful that
public support for breastfeeding legislation will allow mothers who make
the choice to breastfeed to be protected and supported when and if they
return to the workplace.
My Web site includes many documents with more information about breastfeeding:
Breastfeeding: Federal Legislation
Summary of State Breastfeeding Laws
Breastfeeding and Jury Duty: State Laws, Court Rules, and Related Issues
Health Benefits of Breastfeeding
Corporate Lactation: Breastfeeding Mothers Return
to Work
Economic Benefits of Breastfeeding
Breastfeeding in America Today: Healthy Mothers;
Healthy Children; Healthy Families
Breastfeeding on a Worldwide Scale: How the United
States Lags Behind Its International Counterparts
RECENT PRESS RELEASE
May 5, 2005 - A Mother’s Day Present for New Mothers - (photo)
July 6, 2004 - Breastfeeding Ad Campaign Watered Down Because of Formula Makers?
If you have an e-mail address, and would
like to receive periodic updates on the status of this bill, please let
me know. Please send all correspondence regarding this legislation
to me at
breastfeedinginfo.maloney@mail.house.gov. With
best wishes,
Sincerely,
CAROLYN B. MALONEY
Member of Congress
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