Dear John,

Back when my middle schooler was still an infant, and I had very recently been a pregnant worker myself, I got a call from Congressman Jerry Nadler’s office asking what the National Women’s Law Center thought about working with him to ensure that employers make reasonable accommodations when pregnant workers need them. That conversation led to the introduction of the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act, and after a 10-year fight, it is at last on the path to becoming law, tomorrow. In a historic victory, the Senate today added the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act to the end-of-year omnibus package.

For over 10 years the National Women’s Law Center has helped shape and steer this bill to today’s victory. It hasn’t been easy and there’s been plenty of opposition along the way. I’ve been lucky enough to be at the table of advocates and champions pushing for this legislation since those earliest drafting conversations in 2012, and I am so gratified that thanks to the collective work of many organizations and key lawmakers—including not only Congressman Nadler but also Senator Bob Casey, Senator Patty Murray, and Senator Bill Cassidy, and many many more—we are really going to make a difference in the lives of pregnant workers in this country.  

When this end-of-year package passes the House tonight or tomorrow and is signed into law by President Biden, pregnant workers across the country will finally have commonsense protections that ensure they no longer have to choose between a paycheck and a healthy pregnancy—and this will be especially important for those working in low-paid jobs. What the Senate did today, and what all of us have done over the past decade, will have a huge impact on the lives of women and their families!

We’re so proud and excited that we have made it to this moment! Thank you for supporting us and for all the letters, petitions, and calls you’ve sent over the years to lawmakers on this issue. It’s truly made a difference.

For justice,

Emily Martin
she/her/hers
Vice President, Education & Workplace Justice
National Women's Law Center

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