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Updated: Pregnant Workers Fairness Act Clears House of Representatives

 

Recently, with the U.S House of Representatives voting 329 - 73 in favor of the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act, the legislation moves to the Senate for further debate and (unlikely) vote.

Readers will recall that last month I had highlighted this legislation as one to keep an eye on.  The legislation, sponsored by Democrats (who have majority control of the House), would require employers to provide reasonable accommodations to help pregnant workers continue working as well as prohibit employers from denying employment opportunities to these workers because they are pregnant.

As I had noted in my prior post, even with this legislation clearing the House (by a sizable margin), I think it is unlikely it will get very far in the Senate for a few reasons.  For starters, the Senate is in effect operating on a limited capacity for a few weeks because of several Senators testing positive for the coronavirus.  As well, once the Senate gets back to business as usual, I suspect the nomination of Judge Amy Coney Barrett for the United States Supreme Court will occupy much of the Senate’s time.  With Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell likely making other legislation a priority while Republicans have majority control of the Senate (possibly only for a limited time, depending the outcome of several Senate races on November 3rd), the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act will likely languish in a Senate Committee for the time being.  The one hope for advocates of the legislation?  Either Democrats gain majority control of the Senate in November or enough Republican Senators voice their support for passage of the legislation that the Senate Majority Leader acquiesces and allows a floor vote.  

Stay tuned.


For additional information:  https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/house-bill/2694/text

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