A coalition of Republican attorneys general from 17 states has taken legal action against the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) over a new rule related to abortion accommodations under the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act. The rule, which was finalized in mid-April, requires most employers to provide 'reasonable accommodations' to workers in relation to pregnancy or childbirth, including time off for an abortion. It's important to note that the rule does not mandate employers to pay for abortions or provide paid time off for the procedure.
In response to the EEOC's rule, the attorney general of Tennessee, Jonathan Skrmetti, stated that the agency's attempt to reinterpret the bipartisan Pregnant Workers Fairness Act as an abortion mandate is illegal. The coalition of attorneys general argues that the EEOC is overstepping its authority by requiring employers to accommodate elective abortions, which they believe goes beyond the scope of the original Act.
Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Utah, and West Virginia are among the states joining Tennessee in the lawsuit against the EEOC. The coalition contends that the EEOC's rule represents an unconstitutional federal overreach that infringes on existing state laws.
When asked for comment, the EEOC referred the inquiry to the Department of Justice, which has not yet responded to the matter. The legal challenge by the Republican attorneys general highlights the ongoing debate surrounding the intersection of workplace accommodations, pregnancy rights, and abortion regulations.
