Senate Passes Bill to Ensure Lactation Spaces for Moms in VA Facilities

Breastfeeding moms are one step closer to getting improved support at VA medical centers nationwide. The U.S. Senate has passed the Lactation Spaces for Veteran Moms Act, a bill designed to ensure that all Veterans Affairs facility provides a private and designated space for nursing and pumping. This area cannot be a bathroom.

“VA facilities should be equipped to serve all veterans, including nursing mothers,” said Senator Jacky Rosen, who introduced the measure. In a news release she went on to say, “This commonsense, bipartisan legislation will make sure that veteran mothers, VA employees, and their family members have access to a private and hygienic place to nurse at VA medical centers.”

Two other lawmakers, Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and Representative Lauren Underwood (D-IL-14), joined Sen. Rosen in pushing for this bill.

“Every mom should be able to breastfeed in a clean, safe, and private space, and our veterans deserve the best,” said Representative Underwood, in a news release. “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.”

There were only 90 VA medical centers across the country with spaces for moms to pump in 2022, according to the lawmakers pushing for this change. Veterans Affairs states, on their website, that there are 1380 VA facilities nationwide. Adding designated space in these facilities would ensure thousands of moms would have a space to express milk or nurse.

Lawmakers in the Senate passed the bill on November 9, 2025. Now, the bills heads to the House of Representatives for consideration.

This is the latest effort from Washington lawmakers aimed at helping nursing and pumping moms. Earlier this fall, the president signed the Bottles and Breastfeeding Equipment Screening (BABES) Enhancement Act into law. This new law will streamline the screening process for breast milk, formula, and feeding equipment like pumps at airports nationwide.  You can read more about that new bill here.