Staying Abreast: Weekly Wire - Tell Congress to Support Breastfeeding & Strengthen Our Nation’s Health, & more

The USBC e-Newsletter, Staying Abreast, is published in a weekly news brief format, called the Weekly Wire (WW). Past issues are archived below.

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Staying Abreast: Weekly Wire - Tell Congress to Support Breastfeeding & Strengthen Our Nation’s Health, & more

7/11/2025

In this issue:

USBC Updates
- Official NBM Merchandise Now Available
- Action Alert: Call on Congress to Invest in Breastfeeding
- USBC Supports...
- Reminder: Register for the USBC Virtual Summit
National News
- 2025 Indigenous Milk Medicine Conference Registration Open
- Save the Date: Black Breastfeeding Week
- PWFA FAQs Webpage
Action Opportunities
Upcoming Events
News & Views
Journal Publications

denotes a USBC member organization news item denotes a USBC-affiliated constellation news item

USBC Updates

Official NBM Merchandise Now Available

Official 2025 National Breastfeeding Month merchandise is now available in the USBC Store. A small portion of each purchase supports the USBC's mission to create a landscape of breastfeeding support across the United States. To make an even bigger impact, shoppers can make a donation at checkout. Items are available for a limited time. Shop today to receive your apparel in time for NBM!

Action Alert: Call on Congress to Invest in Breastfeeding

The U.S. Breastfeeding Committee is mobilizing the field to urge Congress to allocate $20 million to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for its Hospitals Promoting Breastfeeding program in the Fiscal Year 2026 Labor, Health and Human Services, and Related Agencies appropriations bill. The President’s Budget proposes eliminating this vital program. The House subcommittee is scheduled to hold a markup of its appropriations bill on Monday, July 21. The days ahead offer a narrow but pivotal window to shape funding decisions. It is critical that subcommittee members hear from individuals and organizations now about the importance of this program.

Organizations are encouraged to sign on to the joint letter calling on Congress to fund this program and share this action opportunity with businesses and organizations in their network. The letter will be delivered to House Subcommittee members ahead of the markup. Download the letter to view the current list of signers.
Individuals are encouraged to contact their legislators with the "Tell Congress: Support Breastfeeding, Strengthen Our Nation’s Health" action tool. Even if you have already contacted your Senators and Representative, please reach out again today. Help amplify the impact of our collective effort by asking your network to take action:

USBC Supports...

National Partnership for Women & Families: "Sign On in Support of the FAMILY Act - 119th Congress"

Reminder: Register for the USBC Virtual Summit

Registration is open for the United States Breastfeeding Committee Virtual Summit, Forward Together: Meeting the Moment on Thursday, July 31, from 12 p.m. ET to 5:30 p.m. ET. Download and explore the Summit Agenda to learn more about keynote and plenary sessions. We hope to see you on July 31!

National News

2025 Indigenous Milk Medicine Conference Registration Open

The Indigenous Milk Medicine Collective announced that registration is open for the 2025 Indigenous Milk Medicine Conference, which will be hosted online from August 11 to August 14 during Indigenous Milk Medicine Week (IMMW). The virtual conference sessions will feature voices from across Turtle Island, including birthworkers, lactation educators, knowledge holders, artists, and organizers. Learn more about the conference schedule and speaker lineup on the IMMW website.

Save the Date: Black Breastfeeding Week

The Black Mothers' Breastfeeding Association announced that the theme of 2025 Black Breastfeeding Week is Boots on the Ground. This year's theme celebrates the power of being rooted in breastfeeding success and grounded in community support. Black Breastfeeding Week will take place during National Breastfeeding Month, from August 25 to August 31.

PWFA FAQs Webpage Updated

A Better Balance updated "The Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA): Frequently Asked Questions" webpage. The webpage features information and resources detailing the rights available to employees under the PWFA and providing guidance on requesting accommodations from an employer.