The CPAC Foundation's Center for Regulatory Freedom (CRF) is always on the alert for potential policy overreaches. The Biden Administration's recent actions, via the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), have raised eyebrows and concerns for many who believe in a strict interpretation of the law.
The crux of the matter lies in the EEOC's recent interpretation of the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act of 2022. This act, designed to shield pregnant women from undue workplace discrimination, specifically calls for businesses to make "reasonable accommodations" for limitations tied to pregnancy. In its essence, the act seems to be tailored to cover conditions like hypertension, gestational diabetes, or other ailments that might arise due to pregnancy.
However, in what can be described as a sweeping interpretation, the EEOC, under the Biden Administration, is suggesting that the termination of a pregnancy via abortion is a "pregnancy-related illness." By doing so, they have expanded the protections meant for expectant mothers facing challenges to women seeking abortion procedures. This is arguably a bold leap and not one that seems immediately evident in the language or the spirit of the act. It’s worth noting that the act is named the Pregnant Workers’ Fairness Act, not the “Pregnant Women’s Fairness Act.”
Many feel this is not just a matter of overreach but also brings up ethical considerations. To equate abortion with pregnancy-related illnesses feels incongruous to the intent behind the PWFA. It's a distinction that can potentially reshape the narrative around the act and detract from its original purpose: to protect pregnant workers from discrimination. This current interpretation seems to indicate a disregard for the primary focus of the act and raises ethical questions around the value and regard for human life.
The CRF believes that this extension of protections is beyond the intended scope of the statute. We urge everyone who shares this concern to voice their opinions. By submitting a comment to the Biden Administration, you can have a say in the regulatory process and ensure that laws are executed in a manner consistent with their intent and the values they represent.
Your voice matters. The CRF has simplified the process to make it easy for you to weigh in on this critical matter. Stand up for regulatory clarity, the integrity of our laws, and the sanctity of life.
