2022: Schweikert Voted Against The FY 2023 Omnibus Spending Package, Which Included Requirements For All Employers To Provide Breastfeeding Workplace Accommodations. In December 2022, according to Congressional Quarterly, Schweikert voted against concurring with the Senate amendment to the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023, which would "include provisions to address flexibility for state and local coronavirus relief funding, use of Russian asset seizures for Ukraine aid, breastfeeding workplace accommodations, compensation for 9/11 victims, aviation preparedness, ocean and land conservation programs, consumer protections, pesticide safety and lobster fishing regulations." The vote was on a motion to concur. The House concurred with the Senate amendment by a vote of 225-201, thus bill was sent to President Biden and ultimately became law. [House Vote 549, 12/23/22; Congressional Quarterly, 12/23/22; Congressional Actions, S.Amdt. 6552; Congressional Actions, H.R. 2617]
Added To The Omnibus As An Amendment, The Breastfeeding Accommodations Provision Mandated Employers To Provide A Designated Breastfeeding Location Other Than A Restroom And Provide A "Reasonable Break Time" To Breastfeed. According to Congressional Quarterly, "The original bill (S 1658) would mandate that employers provide nursing workers with a designated breastfeeding space other than a bathroom as well as 'reasonable break time' to breastfeed, lasting for up to a year after the child's birth. The amendment, which was subject to a 60-vote threshold, was approved 92-5. The Senate later voted 68-29 to pass the omnibus spending bill (HR 2617), paving the way for the House to clear the legislation ahead of government spending (PL 117-229) running out at midnight on Friday." [Congressional Quarterly, 12/22/22]
The Provision Exempted Airlines From The Breastfeeding Accommodation Mandate And State Accommodation Mandates And Provided Some Protections To The Rail Industry, Including Not Requiring Them To Retrofit Rail Cars. According to Congressional Quarterly, "But the final text includes language that would exempt airlines both from providing crew members with in-flight breastfeeding accommodations and from state laws mandating such accommodations. The rail industry, which also expressed concerns with language in the bill in the past, is not completely exempt from the mandates, but has some protections such as not having to retrofit rail cars." [Congressional Quarterly, 12/22/22]
The FY 2023 Omnibus Included A Provision That Guaranteed Workplace Accommodations For Nursing Workers To Pump Their Breastmilk. According to CNN, "Also, another provision in the package guarantees workplace accommodations -- particularly time to pump -- for more nursing workers." [CNN, 12/29/22]
2022: Schweikert Voted Against The FY 2023 Omnibus Spending Package, Which Included Protections For Pregnant Workers Against Workplace Discrimination. In December 2022, according to Congressional Quarterly, Schweikert voted against concurring with the Senate amendment to the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023, which would "put in place protections for pregnant workers against workplace discrimination." The vote was on a motion to concur. The House concurred with the Senate amendment by a vote of 225-201, thus bill was sent to President Biden and ultimately became law. [House Vote 549, 12/23/22; Congressional Quarterly, 12/23/22; Congressional Actions, S.Amdt. 6552; Congressional Actions, H.R. 2617]
2021: Schweikert Voted To Require Employers To Make Reasonable Accommodations For Pregnant Employees. In May 2021, Schweikert voted for the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act of 2021 which would, according to Congressional Quarterly, "require public employers and private employers with at least 15 employees to make reasonable accommodations to employees for known limitations related to pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, unless the employer demonstrates that such accommodations would impose an undue hardship on their operations." The vote was on passage. The House passed the bill by a vote of 315-101. The Senate did not take substantive action on the bill. [House Vote 143, 5/14/21; Congressional Quarterly, 5/14/21; Congressional Actions, H.R. 1065]
The Bill Would Have Provided Legal Benefits For Pregnant Employees Denied Workplace Accommodation. According to Congressional Quarterly, "provide legal remedies for employees denied reasonable accommodations, including rights to compensatory damages, lost pay and reasonable attorney fees." The vote was on passage. The House passed the bill by a vote of 315-101. [House Vote 143, 5/14/21; Congressional Quarterly, 5/14/21; Congressional Actions, H.R. 1065]
The Bill Would Have Required The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission To Provide Examples Of Reasonable Accommodations For Pregnant Employees. According to Congressional Quarterly, "require the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, within two years of enactment, to issue regulations to carry out the bill's provisions, including to provide examples of reasonable accommodations for pregnant workers." [Congressional Quarterly, 5/14/21]
The Bill Would Have Prohibited Employers From Terminating Or Denying Pregnant Individuals Employment And Prohibited Employers From Coercing Pregnant Workers Into Taking Paid Or Unpaid Leave If Reasonable Accommodations Were Available. According to Congressional Quarterly, "prohibit employers from denying employment opportunities to or retaliating against such employees based on the need to provide accommodations. It would prohibit employers from requiring such employees to take paid or unpaid leave if reasonable accommodations can be provided or to accept any accommodation other than a reasonable accommodation arrived at through an interactive process between the employer and employee." [Congressional Quarterly, 5/14/21]