Swalwell & Duckworth Introduced Legislation to Make Air Travel Easier for Parents with Breast Milk

WASHINGTON—Today, Congressman Eric Swalwell (D-CA) introduced bipartisan legislation to make it easier for parents to safely travel with breast milk.

The Bottles and Breastfeeding Equipment Screening (BABES) Enhancement Act is co-led by U.S. Representatives Maria Salazar (R-FL), Brittany Pettersen (D-CO), and Anna Paulina Luna (R-FL) in the House. U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) introduced companion legislation in the Senate and is co-led by Senators Ted Cruz (R-TX), Steve Daines (R-MT), and Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI). 

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

"As a husband and father, my wife and I know how challenging traveling can be for new parents. TSA screening is already stressful enough without the added anxiety and humiliation of having your breast milk or formula heavily scrutinized and mistreated," said Congressman Swalwell. "The BABES Act will ensure TSA handles these screenings with care, consulting maternal health experts to establish proper hygienic standards while maintaining robust security measures. This bill is about giving parents peace of mind so they can focus on their families while they travel." 

"Being pro-family means we need to make traveling as easy as possible for mothers," said Congresswoman Salazar. "This bill ensures that food and breast milk necessary for the healthy growth of infants is not mishandled while families are flying, and provides TSA the authorities to update these policies as necessary." 

"As a mom, I know firsthand how difficult it can be to travel when you are breast feeding or worried about how to feed your child," said Congresswoman Pettersen. "We've heard countless stories from moms who were forced to throw out milk or pumping supplies, even though they are 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 Outdated regulations or lack of training shouldn't add to an already stressful situation.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. This is a bipartisan, commonsense step to support families and keep our kids safe and healthy." 

"Every parent deserves the confidence that their children's nutrition and feeding equipment will be treated with care and respect while traveling on an airplane," said Congresswoman Luna. "The BABES Act is an important step toward creating a more family-friendly travel experience by ensuring TSA protocols are fair, swift, and hygienic, providing parents with peace of mind, all while upholding essential security standards." 

"Far too often, traveling moms are mistreated and wrongfully denied access to their breast milk and the breastfeeding equipment they need to pump and feed their babies," said Senator Duckworth. "Ensuring that the TSA keeps its employees up to speed on their own policies and updates those policies as necessary is the least we can do to help parents travel through airports with the dignity and respect they deserve. After our bipartisan legislation passed the Senate by unanimous consent last Congress, I'm proud we are reintroducing this bill with such strong bipartisan support in both the Senate and the House. I'll continue to do everything I can to get this done for traveling moms everywhere." 

"Supporting moms and families will always be one of my top priorities. I'm proud to join my colleagues in supporting this bipartisan legislation that will make it easier for mothers to safely and easily travel with breast milk and formula for their babies, and I'll continue to fight for ways to support our families in Montana and across America," said Senator Daines. 

"On any given day, thousands of families travel by air with milk and the supplies they need to keep their babies fed," said Senator Hirono. "The BABES Enhancement Act will require TSA to clarify and regularly update its guidance on handling breast milk and baby formula, helping to ensure that parents and their young children can travel with peace of mind. I'm glad to join my colleagues in reintroducing this legislation to keep families and their children safe and healthy." 

"Far too often, families traveling with infants and young children are subjected to inconsistencies when going through TSA's screening, causing inconveniences that can make traveling together even more difficult. This simple legislation to update the TSA's compliance guidance for the 3-1-1 liquids will help families travel without added hassles," said Senator Cruz. 

Emily Calandrelli, host of the popular Netflix show Emily's Wonder Lab, was delayed at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) while carrying supplies she needed to safely pump milk for her 10-week-old son. Calandrelli was ultimately forced to check her items despite existing TSA guidelines that permitted her to carry them on. Calandrelli shared her story online and was flooded with hundreds of messages from other mothers who had similar experiences while traveling. 

"After a frustrating experience traveling through airport security with my breast pump equipment, I worked with my representative on this bill in hopes that no other mom would have to face the same challenges. I'm incredibly grateful to our representatives who are standing up for moms and parents, working to make the TSA process more efficient and compassionate for all of us," said Calandrelli. 

Unsanitary screenings of breast milk or formula put children at risk. Additionally, lactating parents must breastfeed or pump every few hours to avoid complications like clogged milk ducts or mastitis, a painful and potentially serious infection. 

Under the BABES Enhancement Act, TSA will:

1. Develop clear and consistent guidelines in consultation with nationally recognized maternal health organizations for screening breast milk, formula, and related feeding equipment; 
2. Ensure all TSA officers receive enhanced training on these procedures to prevent improper handling or disposal; 
3. Improve transparency and communication with travelers about their rights when transporting these critical items; and 
4. Update its guidance every five years to respond to the emerging needs of parents and to account for developments in technology. 

Congressman Swalwell's bill also would direct an independent government watchdog to conduct an audit of compliance with TSA screening policies for passengers traveling with breast milk and other infant nutrition products, providing lawmakers with information related to violations of policies like those experienced by Calandrelli. 

The Bottles and Breastfeeding Equipment Screening Enhancement Act is endorsed by March of Dimes, the Association of Maternal and Child Health Programs, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, MomsRising, and the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine. 

The BABES Act is also supported 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), and Rashida Tlaib (D-MI). 

Read the full text of the bill here.