Which PA Representatives Support Pregnant Workers, and Which Don’t?

US Rep. Mary Gay Scanlon, D-Pa., seen here speaking from the House chamber earlier this year, is one of ten members of the US House of Representatives from Pennsylvania who voted for the bill. (House Television via AP)

By Ashley Adams

May 18, 2021

Even without the support of most of Pennsylvania’s Republican representatives, the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act still passed with bipartisan support and has now moved on to the US Senate.

WASHINGTON — The Pregnant Workers Fairness Act won broad bipartisan support while passing the US House of Representatives, even if a majority of Pennsylvania’s GOP lawmakers voted against it.

It passed the House last week by a 315-101 vote. All 216 House Democrats, plus 99 Republicans, voted for the bill.

Reps. Brendan Boyle, Matt Cartwright, Madeleine Dean, Mike Doyle, Dwight Evans, Brian Fitzpatrick, Chrissy Houlahan, Conor Lamb, Mary Gay Scanlon, and Susan Wild cosponsored the bill. All but Fitzpatrick are Democrats.

Six of Pennsylvania’s nine Republicans representatives voted against it. The bill is now headed to the US Senate.

There is a matching bill in the US Senate, SB 1486, introduced by Sen. Bob Casey (D-PA).

I applaud the House for passing the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act today. No worker should have to choose between a healthy pregnancy and their job – that’s why this bill has overwhelming bipartisan support.

Let’s get this passed in the Senate and sent to @POTUS https://t.co/N6qiIFjuFy
— Senator Bob Casey (@SenBobCasey) May 14, 2021

President Joe Biden applauded the passage of the House bill and said his administration has made it a priority to support the health and economic security of pregnant workers.

What is the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act?

The Pregnant Workers Fairness Act requires employers to make reasonable accommodations for pregnant women, such as allowing extra bathroom breaks or light duty, so they can continue working safely.

The bill also prohibits employers from denying pregnant women job opportunities, retaliating against them for requesting reasonable accommodations, or forcing them to take paid or unpaid leave if another reasonable accommodation is available.

The bill is now in the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

Women are now the sole or primary breadwinners in more than half of American families but many must leave their jobs due to unreasonable employer demands. I supported the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act so no worker has to choose between financial security & a healthy pregnancy.
— Mike Doyle (@USRepMikeDoyle) May 14, 2021

Across the country, pregnant workers are being fired, denied basic accommodations, or not being hired in the first place. This is just wrong.

Today, I voted for a bipartisan proposal to finally secure strong and clear protections for pregnant workers! pic.twitter.com/FCS1toHSB4
— Congressman Dwight Evans🟧 (@RepDwightEvans) May 14, 2021

Who Voted Against the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act?

Six of Pennsylvania’s nine Republicans voted against the bill.

The nay votes were:

John Joyce (R-Blair)
Fred Keller (R-Snyder)
Mike Kelly (R-Butler)
Scott Perry (R-York)
Guy Reschenthaler (R-Allegheny)
Lloyd Smucker (R-Lancaster)

The Full Pennsylvania Roll Call

Brendan Boyle (D-Philadelphia) Yea
Matt Cartwright (D-Lackawanna) Yea
Madeleine Dean (D-Montgomery) Yea
Mike Doyle (D-Allegheny) Yea
Dwight Evans (D-Philadelphia) Yea
Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Bucks) Yea
Chrissy Houlahan (D-Chester) Yea
John Joyce (R-Blair) Nay
Fred Keller (R-Snyder) Nay
Mike Kelly (R-Butler) Nay
Conor Lamb (D-Allegheny) Yea
Dan Meuser (R-Luzerne) Did not vote
Scott Perry (R-York) Nay
Guy Reschenthaler (R-Allegheny) Nay
Mary Gay Scanlon (D-Delaware) Yea
Lloyd Smucker (R-Lancaster) Nay
Glenn Thompson (R-Centre) Did not vote
Susan Wild (D-Lehigh) Yay

Author

Ashley Adams

In her 16 years in the communications industry, Ashley Adams has worn many hats, including news reporter, public relations writer, marketing specialist, copy editor and technical writer. Ashley grew up in Berks County and has since returned to her roots to raise her three children.

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