“Forty years after the Pregnancy Discrimination Act became law, pregnant workers in this country still face discrimination every day. It is disgraceful that so many working women are fired or denied jobs or promotions simply because they become pregnant. Too many others are denied the reasonable accommodations they need – like being allowed to carry bottles of water, take more bathroom breaks, or use stools – that would allow them to keep a paycheck at the moment they need it most.

“Low-income women and their families are harmed the most by this discrimination, which can jeopardize pregnancies, harm women’s health, and push families into poverty for years to come. Twenty-three states have adopted pregnant worker fairness laws, but we need a national solution and it’s past time for Congress to act.

“The Pregnant Workers Fairness Act, which has bipartisan support, has been under consideration for years. This essential bill would promote healthy pregnancies, enhance family economic security, and strengthen our economy. With more families than ever relying on women’s wages, and women working later into their pregnancies, we need Congress to pass the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act. No woman should have to choose between her job and a healthy pregnancy.”