The Break Time for Nursing Mothers law, 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 were not covered by the Break Time law. 

​The PUMP for Nursing Mothers Act (S. 1658/H.R. 3110), signed into law on December 29, 2022, makes several important changes to this landmark legislation:
  • Provides the right to break time and space to pump breast milk at work to millions more workers, including teachers and nurses
  • Makes it possible for workers to file a lawsuit to seek monetary remedies in the event that their employer fails to comply
  • Clarifies that pumping time must be paid if an employee is not completely relieved from duty
​
The legislation went into effect immediately when it was signed, however, the enforcement provision included a 120-day delay, making the effective date for that provision April 28, 2023. In addition, there is a 3-year delay in the implementation of the protections for railway workers. Unfortunately, due to significant industry opposition, the law does not apply to flight attendants and pilots. 

​The PUMP Act is the first standalone breastfeeding bill to receive a recorded vote on the House and Senate floors. The bill received incredible support from policymakers on both sides of the aisle, demonstrating that breastfeeding is truly a bipartisan issue. Thank you and congratulations to the myriad individuals and organizations who have taken action across the years on this important legislation!

Resources from the Field

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 and renamed the Providing Urgent Maternal Protections (PUMP) for Nursing Mothers Act. 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 included minor technical changes to create a cleaner, simpler bill.

During the 117th Congressional Session, 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. On October 22, 2021, the House version of the PUMP Act (H.R. 3110) was passed with a strong, bipartisan vote of 276-149. In June 2022, the PUMP Act was brought to the Senate floor with a request to pass the bill via unanimous consent. There was an objection on the floor and the bill did not pass that day, but negotiations continued in earnest. A second unanimous consent request was attempted on December 22, 2022, but there was an objection so the bill did not pass. The PUMP Act was passed in the Senate as an amendment to the omnibus spending package later that day with a near-unanimous vote of 92-5. The bill was signed into law by the President on December 29, 2022.
​
The PUMP Act was supported by over 230 organizations, including the National Education Association, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the National Retail Federation, and the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. 

If you have questions about the PUMP Act, contact advocacy@usbreastfeeding.org to get in touch with the U.S. Breastfeeding Committee or be directed to one of the following coalition partners: A Better Balance, the American Civil Liberties Union, the Center for WorkLife Law, MomsRising, or the National WIC Association. ​
PUMP Act Briefing
The Providing Urgent Maternal Protections (PUMP) for Nursing Mothers Act was signed into law on December 29, 2022. In February 2023, A Better Balance, the American Civil Liberties Union, Center for WorkLife Law, MomsRising, National WIC Association, and U.S. Breastfeeding Committee co-hosted the virtual PUMP for Nursing Mothers Act Briefing. View the recording to learn about this important policy advancement, including the full story of the bill’s passage, details on the law’s protections and what it means for employers and workers, and a discussion on next steps for our collective movement to secure workplace lactation protections for every worker in the nation. 
Copyright U.S. Breastfeeding Committee.  All Rights Reserved.
1629 K Street NW, Suite 300 | Washington, DC 20006
Phone: (773) 359-1549 | office@usbreastfeeding.org | sitemap
QuestionPro's survey software plays a major role in helping us keep in touch with our alumni, volunteers, donors, employees, and other affiliates. Surveying them has helped strengthen our relationship.