U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth is about to make history (herstory!) as the first U.S. Senator to ever give birth while in office! Unfortunately, we can’t fully celebrate this mom milestone yet because, at the same time, she’ll also make history for being the first U.S. Senator to ever be punished for having a baby while in office.
WHAT THE WHAT?!? Punishment for having a baby while in office? It turns out that U.S. Senate rules will prohibit Sen. Duckworth from being able to sponsor legislation or vote if she takes leave for the birth of and bonding with her new child.
And even if she doesn’t take time away from work, she’ll still likely be forced to miss votes because U.S. Senate rules will bar her from taking her infant child on the Senate floor to breastfeed.
Discriminatory rules like these have to end!
***Senator Duckworth is due to give birth in April, so the timing here is urgent. If enough of us take action, we can make it clear that we’re paying attention to this, and we expect Sen. McConnell to do the right thing and lead on updating the Senate rules.
The U.S. Senate’s outdated and discriminatory rules do not meet the needs of working mothers, their babies, and in this case, the Senators’ constituents. Let’s be clear: Modernizing these arcane and archaic U.S. Senate rules isn’t about just one Senator. It sends a signal to the record-breaking number of women running for office now or in the future that we value them on the floor of the Senate making policy decisions and being part of the process!
After the birth of baby Duckworth, the nation’s eyes will turn to the United States Senate — waiting to see whether they stand with working mothers or attempt to maintain antiquated rules that literally push women and mothers out the door.
