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Statement

Moms Support Speedy Passage of the Duckworth/Underwood DEMAND Act

February 9, 2022
Breastfeeding, Maternal Health

Lisa Lederer, 202/371-1996

Statement of Tina Sherman, Senior Campaign Director for Maternal Justice at MomsRising, the online and on-the-ground organization of more than one million mothers and their families, on the introduction in the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives of the DEMAND Act:

“America’s moms applaud the introduction of the DEMAND (Delivering Essentials to Mothers Amid Natural Disasters) Act in both the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives today and commend U.S. Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-Illinois) and Rep. Lauren Underwood (D-Illinois) for championing this vitally important legislation.

“Natural disasters such as floods, fires, hurricanes and tornadoes are more and more common in our country, and we need to do all we can to ensure that new moms and their babies have the support they need when these disasters occur. The DEMAND Act directs FEMA to develop clear guidance for supporting parents and babies. It will help close gaps in emergency assistance, result in better support for pregnant and breastfeeding people affected by disasters, and help nursing mothers who choose to do so continue breastfeeding their babies. Specifically, it will make breast pumps and other lactation supplies, and lactation support specialists and educators, eligible for financial assistance.

“The need for this legislation is urgent. Maternal and infant health are a public health emergency in this country, with Black and Indigenous moms facing much higher rates of maternal mortality. In fact, Black women’s maternal mortality rate is four times that of white women. Similarly, people of color and low-income people are disproportionately affected by natural and climate disasters. Improving maternal and infant health outcomes and ending health disparities should be a priority for every lawmaker. We urge leaders in both chambers of Congress to prioritize passage of the DEMAND Act, and every lawmaker to support it. And we urge Congress to pass the Momnibus Act this year.”

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MomsRising.org is an on-the-ground and online grassroots organization of more than a million people who are working to increase family economic security, decrease discrimination against women and moms, and to build a nation where businesses and families can thrive. Established in 2006, MomsRising and its members are organizing and speaking out to improve public policy and to change the national dialogue on issues that are critically important to America’s families, including criminal justice reform, immigration policy reform, and gun safety. MomsRising is working for paid family and medical leave, affordable, high quality childcare and early learning, and for an end to the wage and hiring discrimination which penalizes women — particularly moms and women of color — and so many others. MomsRising advocates for access to healthy food for all kids, health care for all, earned sick days, and breastfeeding rights so that all children can have a healthy start. MomsRising maintains a Spanish language website: MamásConPoder.org. Sign up online at www.MomsRising.org — and follow us on our blog, and on Twitter and Facebook.