WASHINGTON — The Pregnant Workers Fairness Act was introduced in the Senate today by Sen. Bob Casey, D-Pa., Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-La., Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, D- N.H., Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., Sen. Tina Smith, D-Minn., and Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska. The ACLU endorses this bipartisan legislation.
Vania Leveille, senior legislative counsel at the ACLU, had the following response:
“Pregnant workers everywhere, especially those in low-wage and physically demanding jobs, deserve the right to keep earning a paycheck to support themselves and their families without compromising their health. When a pregnant worker is fired or forced to take unpaid leave because their employer refuses to provide a temporary job modification, the economic impact can be severe. If a pregnant worker is the sole or primary breadwinner, their entire family will be without an income when they need it most.
“Passing the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act is a dire necessity that would protect pregnant workers’ rights and economic security. We applaud the bipartisan introduction of this bill, and are eager to work with the Senate towards its swift passage.”