Rep. Blunt Rochester Celebrates Passage of her Amendment to Study Menopause Impact on Servicewomen

WASHINGTON - Today, Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.), celebrated the passage of her amendment in the Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2025. The amendment promotes research on the economic, health, and societal impacts of menopause on servicewomen so that the Department of Defense (DOD) can better accommodate those experiencing menopausal symptoms, focus on the retention of servicewomen in the Armed Forces, and strengthen our national security. Alarmingly, menopause also costs American women an estimated $1.8 billion in lost working time per year.

The amendment passed the House unanimously by voice vote.

"Today, I was proud to see my amendment pass as part of the Fiscal Year 2025 Defense spending bill," said Rep. Blunt Rochester, member of the House Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee. "There is a wide knowledge gap about how menopause affects women, including those in the military, and it is important that we gather more data, conduct further research, and raise awareness to support those fighting for our country as they navigate and advocate for themselves during this inevitable stage of life. I always say, 'We are building a menopause movement,' and this amendment is part of my ongoing effort to maintain and accelerate this momentum. Though I was disappointed by the other anti-women's rights amendments in this bill, I will continue to push for bipartisan improvements to the overall legislation that protect women in the military and their families."

Rep. Blunt Rochester has been the single greatest advocate on menopause in the House. Alongside her colleagues, she has advanced a series of legislative efforts on this issue, including:

• Introduced the Advancing Menopause Care and Mid-Life Women's Health Act with Rep. Yvette Clarke (D-N.Y.). This bill would improve the way menopause and mid-life women's health issues are addressed in the United States by strengthening and expanding federal research on menopause, increasing awareness and education efforts, and empowering our healthcare workforce;
• Introduced the We're Addressing the Realities of Menopause (WARM) Act with Rep. Diana Harshbarger (R-Tenn.), which would create a national menopause public awareness campaign and fund research and education initiatives for health care providers;
• Rep. Blunt Rochester was interviewed on the Menopause Moguls™ Podcast with Dr. Joy'El in April and discussed the WARM Act;
• Introduced a bipartisan Menopause Resolution with Rep. Julia Letlow (R-La.) to recognize October as World Menopause Awareness month;
• Hosted a roundtable with the Democratic Women's Caucus and actress Halle Berry to discuss legislative solutions that support women experiencing menopause and improve women's health, productivity in the workplace, and overall quality of life; and
• Led a letter with Rep. Clarke to First Lady Jill Biden urging the Biden Administration to prioritize menopause research in its new White House Initiative on Women's Health Research.

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