Zonta International is a global organization of individuals dedicated to building a better world for women and girls. The Zonta USA Advocacy Action Center is a tool for our members in the United States and other individuals who share our commitment to gender equality to take action to improve the lives of women and girls. With your help, we can make a difference..
Earlier this year, U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and Jacky Rosen (D-NV) joined Representative Lauren Underwood (D-IL-14) in introducing bipartisan legislation to ensure all Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) medical centers have designated nursing spaces. The Lactation Spaces for Veteran Moms Act (S. 778) would ensure all medical centers managed by the VA contain a hygienic, private space specifically dedicated for nursing veterans, VA employees, and their partners. At this time, a related House bill has been introduced for the Lactation Spaces for Veteran Moms Act (H.R. 1646); however, there are currently no co-sponsors.
This bipartisan legislation would require the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to establish a designated lactation space in every VA medical center. Currently, 26 medical centers lack such a space, and the VA estimates that converting or constructing a lactation room at these sites would cost an average of $25,000 per location. The bill also mandates that the VA submit a report to Congress detailing progress toward meeting these requirements. Overall, implementing the legislation is projected to cost approximately $1 million over the 2025–2030 period, with expenditures subject to the availability of funds.
“There are over two million female veterans in this country, and yet only half of VA facilities have designated nursing rooms,” said Senator Murkowski. “We recently renamed the Alaska VA Medical Campus after Colonel Mary Louise Rasmuson to ensure that all veterans feel welcome in these facilities, but it takes more than a name to follow through on the broader promise to make sure that women, as the fastest growing demographic within the VA’s constituency, see their needs being met. We must support female veterans and their young children however we are able, and a key part of that is making sure young mothers have clean spaces designated for nursing.”
“Every mom should be able to breastfeed in a clean, safe, and private space, and our veterans deserve the best,” said Representative Underwood. “As a nurse, I know the health benefits of breastfeeding for moms and babies, and our bicameral legislation will make sure that VA facilities are properly equipped to support veteran families."
Please use our pre-drafted letters to urge your senators and representative to support the Lactation Spaces for Veteran Moms Act (S. 778 and H.R. 1646). If they have already sponsored or co-sponsored the bill, you can send a message of thanks.