Providing Urgent Maternal Protections (PUMP) for Nursing Mothers Act

The Break Time for Nursing Mothers, passed in 2010, requires employers to provide reasonable break time and a private, non-bathroom space for breastfeeding employees to pump during the work day. While this was an important step, nearly one in four women of childbearing age are not covered by the Break Time law.

The PUMP for Nursing Mothers Act (S. 1658/H.R. 3110) would strengthen the Break Time for Nursing Mothers law by expanding workplace protections for lactating workers, clarifying employers' obligations under the law, and ensuring breastfeeding mothers have access to appropriate remedies.

The PUMP for Nursing Mothers Act was introduced in both Houses of Congress with bipartisan support in May 2021 and advanced in both the House and Senate Committee in June 2021. The bill is supported by over 160 organizations, including the American Academy of Pediatrics, the National Education Association, and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

PUMP Act Resources

• A Better Balance/American Civil Liberties Union/USBC:
• Fact Sheet: "Congress Should Pass the PUMP (Providing Urgent Maternal Protections) for Nursing Mothers Act"
• Q&A: "Providing Urgent Maternal Protections (PUMP) for Nursing Mothers Act H.R. 3110 Q&A"
• Center for WorkLife Law: "Compliance or Complaints? The Impact of Private Enforceability of Lactation Break Time and Space Laws"
• House Education & Labor Committee: PUMP Act fact sheet
• National Education Association: Letter of support for the PUMP Act shared with Senate HELP Committee
• USBC: 
• Joint letter urging members of Congress to cosponsor the PUMP for Nursing Mothers Act
• Story sheet: "In Their Own Words: Break Time for Nursing Mothers" 
• U.S. Chamber of Commerce: Letter of support for the PUMP Act shared with House Education & Labor Committee leadership

Resources from the Field

• Center for WorkLife Law:
• "EXPOSED: Discrimination Against Breastfeeding Workers"
• Pregnant at Work: Breastfeeding Employees
• Department of Labor:
• Break Time for Nursing Mothers
• Employment Protections for Workers Who Are Pregnant or Nursing
• MomsRising: ipumpedhere.org
• Office on Women's Health: Supporting Nursing Moms at Work

Congressional History

Legislation to expand the Break Time for Nursing Mothers law has been introduced in each Congressional session since the Break Time law was enacted. In 2011, the bill was titled the Breastfeeding Promotion Act. In 2013, 2015, and 2017, the bill was titled the Supporting Working Moms Act.

With the support of the USBC-affiliated Workplace Support Constellation, the 2019 bill was updated and adapted to better reflect the needs of breastfeeding employees and their employers. On January 28, 2020, Nikia Sankofa, Executive Director of the USBC, provided witness testimony at the "Expecting More: Addressing America's Maternal and Infant Health Crisis" joint congressional subcommittee hearing. 

The 2021 bill maintains the same components, however includes technical changes to create a cleaner, simpler bill. The PUMP for Nursing Mothers Act was included in the U.S. House of Representatives joint subcommittee hearing, "Fighting for Fairness: Examining Legislation to Confront Workplace Discrimination" on March 18, 2021. On May 25, 2021, the Senate ​​​​​Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions approved the PUMP for Nursing Mothers Act with unanimous bipartisan support. The following day, the House Education & Labor Committee held a markup and passed an amended version of the bill out of committee, with strong support from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. 

If you have questions about the PUMP Act, contact advocacy@usbreastfeeding.org to be directed to one of the following coalition partners: A Better Balance, the American Civil Liberties Union, the Center for WorkLife Law, the National WIC Association, or the U.S. Breastfeeding Committee.