Lauren Underwood (D-IL)
Lactation Spaces for Veteran Moms Act
A Democratic bill with 1 Republican cosponsor · See the cosponsor
Last activity — Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill, known as the "Lactation Spaces for Veteran Moms Act," aims to amend title 38 of the United States Code. It requires the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to ensure that every medical center within the Department has a lactation space. These spaces must be hygienic, private, and accessible to disabled individuals. The spaces are intended for use by women veterans and members of the public to express breast milk. The Secretary must implement these changes within two years of the Act's enactment.
Yes· 3 of 7
- Scored +5
Would women be better off under this?
The bill ensures women veterans and mothers have private, hygienic spaces to express breast milk.
- Scored +5
Would people with disabilities be better off under this?
The bill mandates that lactation spaces must be accessible to individuals with disabilities, including wheelchair users.
- Scored +5
Does this narrow the gap between how men and women are treated?
The bill provides dedicated, private facilities to support the needs of women veterans and mothers.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Mandated Lactation Spaces: The Secretary must ensure each medical center contains a lactation space, which is defined as a hygienic place other than a bathroom (Section 2(a)). This provides a dedicated area for women veterans and the public to express breast milk.
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Privacy and Security: The required spaces must be shielded from view and free from intrusion (Section 2(a)(c)). This ensures that individuals have a private environment.
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Accessibility: The spaces must be accessible to disabled individuals, including those who use wheelchairs (Section 2(a)(c)). This ensures that all people can use the facility regardless of mobility limitations.
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Ease of Use: The law requires that spaces contain a chair and a working surface, be easy to locate, and be clearly identified with signage (Section 2(a)(c)). This makes the spaces functional and easy for people to find.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- No specific negative impacts are mentioned in the text provided.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would people with disabilities be better off under this? — The bill mandates that lactation spaces must be accessible to individuals with disabilities, including wheelchair users. Would women be better off under this? — The bill ensures women veterans and mothers have private, hygienic spaces to express breast milk. Would veterans be better off under this, taking everything together? — The bill enhances the medical center facilities available to veterans through mandated lactation spaces.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this expand the rights of people with disabilities? — The bill specifically requires that all new lactation spaces be accessible to individuals who use wheelchairs. Does this narrow the gap between how men and women are treated? — The bill provides dedicated, private facilities to support the needs of women veterans and mothers.
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Does this increase the pay, pensions or support veterans receive? — The bill improves the healthcare environment for women veterans by providing necessary lactation facilities.
- Healthcare
- Does this make health care easier to get in general? — The bill mandates the creation of hygienic and private lactation spaces within VA medical centers.
- 1/6/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 3/27/2025
- Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
- 2/27/2025
- Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
- Introduced in House
3 bills Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Ashley HinsonRepublican · Iowa