Press Releases

This week, U.S. Representative Brittany Pettersen (CO-07) announced that the House of Representatives passed the Bottles and Breastfeeding Equipment Screening (BABES) Enhancement Act unanimously, a bipartisan victory that will make air travel safer, more consistent, and more humane for parents traveling with breast milk, formula, and feeding equipment. The bill will now go to the President to be signed into law. 

Pettersen’s bipartisan BABES Act is co-led in the House by U.S. Representatives Eric Swalwell (D-CA), Maria Salazar (R-FL), and Anna Paulina Luna (R-FL). U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) introduced companion legislation in the Senate, co-led by Senators Ted Cruz (R-TX), Steve Daines (R-MT), and Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI).

The legislation requires the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to strengthen and streamline its screening protocols for breast milk, formula, and related feeding equipment. These improvements will ensure parents can navigate airport security without unnecessary delays, confusion, or the risk of damaging essential nutrition products.

 “As a mom, I know firsthand how difficult it can be to travel when you are breastfeeding or worried about how to feed your child,” said Congresswoman Pettersen. “Like so many moms, I've experienced the frustration of having to throw out milk or pumping supplies, despite them being TSA-approved. Outdated regulations or lack of training shouldn’t add to an already stressful situation. We need clear policies about how TSA handles breast milk, baby formula, and pumping supplies so parents can travel without worrying that they will be confiscated, contaminated or mishandled. I’m glad to see it pass in the House with bipartisan support, a commonsense step to support families and keep our kids safe and healthy.”

“As a husband and father, I know how overwhelming traveling with a newborn can be. Having a baby in your arms is already a challenge and the last thing mothers should worry about is whether their breast milk or formula will be mishandled at the checkpoint,” said Congressman Swalwell. “This is a huge win for traveling mothers. The BABES Act ensures TSA officers receive proper training and follow robust hygienic standards so parents can travel with confidence. This is about giving families peace of mind and making sure babies have the nutrition they need. I’m proud this bill passed the House with overwhelming bipartisan support.”

“I am proud to co-lead this much-needed law to protect families and the essential breastmilk, formula and baby food their children depend on," said Congresswoman Salazar. "For years, I’ve heard heartbreaking stories of parents and breastfeeding mothers facing inconsistent policies at airport checkpoints, because of the absence of clear TSA standards. That's wrong, and the government should never stand between parents and their child's nourishment while traveling. This bill guarantees clear rules, proper training, and full transparency so parents can travel knowing their baby food will be protected, not mishandled or thrown away.”

“As a mother, I understand how stressful traveling with a young child can already be,” said Congresswoman Luna. “Parents should not have to worry about whether TSA will mishandle breast milk or formula. The BABES Act brings needed consistency, hygiene, and common sense to these screenings so families can travel with confidence. I am glad to join my colleagues in advancing this bipartisan, pro-family legislation.”

“After pushing for this for years, I’m proud that Congress passed this long-overdue legislation to make it easier for new moms to travel with their breast milk and the breastfeeding equipment they need to pump and feed their babies,” said Senator Duckworth. “Our bipartisan legislation will ensure the TSA keeps its employees up to speed on their own policies and updates those policies as necessary. It’s the least we can do to help parents travel through airports with the dignity and respect they deserve.”

Background & Need for the Legislation

Unsanitary screenings of breast milk and formula put infants at risk. Lactating parents must breastfeed or pump every few hours to avoid complications like clogged ducts or mastitis. Clear standards and consistent TSA training are essential to keeping families safe.

The BABES Act will require TSA to:

1. Develop clear, updated guidelines for screening breast milk, formula, and feeding equipment in consultation with nationally recognized maternal health organizations;
2. Ensure TSA officers receive enhanced and consistent training on these procedures;
3. Improve communication with parents about their rights at security checkpoints;
4. Update its guidance every five years to reflect changing needs and technology.

It is also cosponsored by Reps. André Carson (D-IN), Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), Andrew Garbarino (R-NY), Raúl M. Grijalva (D-AZ), Jennifer McClellan (D-VA), Tim Kennedy (D-NY), LaMonica McIver (D-NJ), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), Shri Thanedar (D-MI), Rashida Tlaib (D-MI), Debbie Dingell (D-MI), Paul Tonko (D-NY), Julie Johnson (D-TX), Seth Magaziner (D-RI), Chrissy Houlahan (D-PA), Ryan Mackenzie (R-PA), Luis Correa (D-CA), Nellie Pou (D-NJ), George Latimer (D-NY), Tom Suozzi (D-NY), Lauren Underwood (D-IL), and Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ). 

Since coming to Congress, Pettersen has been a champion for working families and children in Colorado. As a mom of two, she has pushed back against Trump’s policies that would increase costs for child care, health care, and other basic necessities for families. 

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To access downloadable, high-quality photos, click here. To stay up-to-date on what Pettersen is doing in Congress, follow her on Twitter here, Facebook here, or Instagram here. Residents can also sign-up for her e-newsletter subscription here.