I’m writing on strong support of The Bottles and Breastfeeding Equipment Screening (BABES) Enhancement Act HR3386/S1570.
The BABES Enhancement Act would require the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to work with maternal health organizations to issue and update guidance promoting safe handling of breast milk, infant formula, and accessories that preserve these products. An independent watchdog would provide oversight to hold TSA officers accountable to the standards.
Moms should be able to fly without worrying about how to keep their baby healthy and fed. This bill will give parents traveling with breast milk, baby formula, and nursing products the assurance that those products will arrive in a safe and sanitary manner.
We too often hear stories of traveling moms being mistreated and denied access to their breast milk and the breastfeeding equipment that they need to pump and feed their babies. Many of these incidents are inconsistent with TSA’s screening policies, which is why I support this bipartisan legislation to ensure TSA keeps its employees up to speed on their own policies and updates those policies as necessary. It’s the least we can do as a nation to help make sure parents traveling through our airports are given the respect and dignity they deserve.
Please give your enthusiastic support to this important bill.