Bipartisan Duckworth-Daines-Cruz-Hirono Bill to Better Protect Parents Traveling with Breast Milk Signed into Law

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] – After unanimouslypassingthe Senate in May and passing the House in November, bipartisan legislation led by U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) to make it easier for parents to safely embark on air travel with breast milk and breastfeeding supplies is now law. Senator Duckworth’sBottles and Breastfeeding Equipment Screening (BABES) Enhancement Act—co-led by U.S. Senators Steve Daines (R-MT), Ted Cruz (R-TX) and Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI)—requires the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to clarify and regularly update guidance on handling breast milk, baby formula and other related nutrition products, including ice packs, in consultation with leading maternal health groups.
“This is a hard-won victory for so many moms who have been mistreated by TSA while traveling with breastmilk and the breastfeeding equipment they need to pump and feed their babies,”said Senator Duckworth.“I’m thankful to my colleagues on both sides of the aisle and champions like Emily Calandrelli who spoke out on this issue for families everywhere. Our bipartisan law will make it easier for new moms to travel by ensuring the TSA keeps its employees up to speed on their own policies and updates those policies as necessary. It marks important progress to ensure parents can travel through airports with the dignity and respect they deserve.”
“I’m thrilled to see our bipartisanBABES Enhancement Actofficially signed into law,”said Senator Daines.“Being a mom is already a tough job, and this new law will make it easier for mothers to safely transport breastmilk and formula while traveling. This is a big win for families, and I’m proud to see it signed into law.”
“Far too often, families traveling with infants and young children are subjected to inconsistencies when going through TSA’s screening, causing inconveniences that can make traveling together even more difficult. This simple legislation to update the TSA’s compliance guidance for the 3-1-1 liquids will help families travel without added hassles,”said Senator Cruz.
“Parents and families deserve to be able to travel with peace of mind that they will not be harassed, humiliated, or put in danger, simply for traveling with milk and supplies to feed their babies,”said Senator Hirono.“I’m proud to see theBottles and Breastfeeding Equipment Screening (BABES) Enhancement Actsigned into law, as it will help to ensure that these families can travel safely, while keeping their children healthy.”
The bipartisanBABES Enhancement Actwill now help keep breastfeeding parents and their kids safe and healthy while traveling by air. Mishandled breast milk can become contaminated, which puts children at risk. Moreover, parents who lactate typicallyneed to breastfeed or pumponce every few hours. Failure to do so can result in a clogged milk duct or a painful infection called mastitis. The new law better protects families by requiring TSA to:
“When I raised the alarm about the barriers traveling moms face, I hoped it might spark change,”said Emily Calandrelli.“Senator Duckworth turned that spark into something real. Her unwavering commitment brought theBABES Enhancement Actfrom an idea born of my own experience to a law that will protect and empower parents nationwide. This is what progress looks like!”
This law also directs an independent government watchdog to conduct an audit of compliance with TSA screening policies for passengers traveling with breast milk and other infant nutrition products, providing lawmakers with information related to violations of policies. U.S. Representative Eric Swalwell (D-CA-14) is the lead sponsor of bipartisan companion legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives.
“I’m thrilled to say that theBABES Actis officially the law of the land,”said Congressman Eric Swalwell.“As a husband and father, I know how challenging it can be to fly with a newborn. That’s why this is such an important victory for traveling mothers and families everywhere. With this law now in place, TSA officers will receive the proper training and follow strong, hygienic standards so parents can travel with confidence and babies get the nutrition they need without stress or uncertainty. This is about dignity, peace of mind, and protecting families at one of the most vulnerable moments of parenthood. I’m proud to see this bipartisan bill not only pass Congress but be signed into law for millions of families who deserve better when they travel.”
A copy of the bill text is available onSenator Duckworth’s website.
Duckworth has been a strong advocate in ensuring moms receive the dignity and respect they deserve while traveling. In 2022, DuckworthpressedTSA Administrator David Pekoske for improved treatment of new mothers and Americans with disabilities from employees of the TSA. That same year, Duckworth alsocalledon TSA to address inconsistent implementation of the 3-1-1 Liquids Rule Exemption travel policy for breast milk and formula at airport security checkpoints as well as ensure new moms and their infants can travel safely without fear of harassment.
Her bipartisanFriendly Airports for Mothers (FAM) Improvement Act, which wassigned into lawin 2020, is helping ensure our small airports across the country support new moms and promote breastfeeding-friendly environments. The legislation builds on Duckworth’s success inenactinga law that ensures all large and medium airports provide a clean, private space where moms can breastfeed or pump. As a result of her legislation, O’Hare and Midway Airports bothinstalledfree-standing lactation pods.
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