Packed into a small conference room at the YWCA's industrial park office in Bethlehem Township, women supporting the organization's mission sat in self-conscious but polite silence.

Though the tiny chamber was tense with an uncomfortable airlessness, nobody had trouble hearing a sedate U.S. Sen. Bob Casey (D-Pa.) relate his hopes for the proposed Pregnant Workers Fairness Act, which he has been touting since May last year.

Something of a modernization of the 1978 Pregnancy Discrimination Act, Casey explained during his Oct. 7 visit the law could only reinforce fairness and opportunities for a workforce that now exceeds 50-percent female.

Casey repeated over and over the word "reasonable" in terms identical with phraseology used in the Americans with Disabilities Act, stressing the PWFA will not coax monumental changes from employers. "The ADA has those important words, 'reasonable accommodations.' What we're trying to do is to put in place the same standard for pregnant workers as for workers who happen to have disabilities. It's as simple as that," he said.

Reasonable measures in these cases may be limited to providing a more comfortable chair for a pregnant employee (and one closer to a restroom) or as extensive as allowing her to work from home. Casey said employers and employees will have to work together and agree on personalized measures.

Though simple conceptually and based upon pre-existing and accepted law, Casey said the PWFA is not going to immediately pass in the U.S. Senate, despite having 25 sponsors.

When asked, Casey said the bill will very likely have to be reintroduced next year. "Even a bill that makes perfect sense like this is a very … a bill about reasonable accommodations, it does take a while for consideration and building support."