Comstock Sends Letter To Dulles Airport Asking About Lactation Rooms

Washington, DC - Congresswoman Barbara Comstock (R-VA) sent the following letter to Vice President and Airport Manager for Dulles Airport Christopher Browne on reports that a passenger who was on a layover at Dulles Airport and requesting a private area in order to use her breast pump was given two choices - either use a family restroom that did not have an outlet for her breast pump or a pet relief area.  Click here for the letter, a copy of which is below.

October 7, 2015

Mr. Christopher Browne

Vice President and Airport Manager, Dulles Airport

1 Aviation Circle

Washington, D.C. 20001

Dear Mr. Browne:

It was reported yesterday that a passenger who was on layover at Dulles International Airport and requested a private area in order to use her breast pump was given two options - either use a family restroom that did not have an outlet for her breast pump or a pet relief area.  As the woman reportedly said ‘I can’t believe that in 2015 this is happening.’ Mr. Browne, I could not agree more with this sentiment.

As I’ve discussed with airport leadership, Dulles Airport needs to join other airports around the country that are providing lactation rooms as well as lactation pods by working with private sector providers of baby products such as diapers or baby food.  I am sure those businesses would be happy to brand their products in those types of settings, and this could have the potential to create a revenue stream for Dulles Airport.  While traveling I have witnessed firsthand the convenience of these rooms and know traveling families appreciate them.

I would appreciate knowing the progress you are making to address lactation rooms and pods at Dulles Airport.  We are all on the same page that Northern Virginia needs Dulles Airport to be a thriving airport to help our regional economy.  Putting in lactations rooms and/or pods will be both a profitable thing for the airport to do as well as the right thing to do for moms, families, and customers at Dulles. I look forward to your prompt response.  

Sincerely,

Barbara Comstock

Member of Congress