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USCCB Urges EEOC to Leave Abortion Out of the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act
The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) is urging Catholics to contact the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and insist that it leave abortion out of proposed regulations to implement the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act.
As we noted in August, the EEOC has issued a proposed regulation that would require employers to provide accommodations for employees who choose to obtain abortions, including giving them leave to do so. The regulation misinterprets the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act, which is a new law meant to help working mothers keep their job, if they wish, while protecting their health and that of their preborn children. The EEOC is now twisting that law to promote abortion instead, the exact opposite of pregnancy. To view the EEOC's proposed rulemaking in full, click here.
The comments from the USCCB and the Catholic University of America note that, "The PWFA became law because of the willingness of members of Congress on both sides of the aisle to keep the bill focused on the wellbeing of pregnant women and their preborn children, rather than treading into the divisive area of abortion," and so, "the final regulations should not require an accommodation for abortion."
As Catholics, we applaud efforts to ensure that pregnant women are supported throughout their pregnancy and have the resources necessary to raise healthy babies. We should all be working to build a society that stands with moms in need. The Pregnant Workers Fairness Act was a major, bipartisan achievement toward that goal.
The EEOC should not corrupt this landmark law by interpreting it to require employers to grant accommodations for abortion. In addition, the USCCB asks Catholics to urge the EEOC to enact a religious exemption that is more clear and robust than what is proposed, which ensures employers are not required to act contrary to their religious beliefs.
All comments are due by October 10, 2023. If you have not yet submitted your comments, please click below:
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