Sen. Tammy Duckworth made history again, by bringing her newborn baby girl Maile onto the Senate floor with her to cast a vote.
Ten days ago the Illinois Democrat earned herself a place in the history books by becoming the first sitting U.S. senator to give birth while in office.
Duckworth, a double amputee and veteran, announced that she had had a daughter, baby Maile Pearl Bowlsbey, with her husband Bryan Bowlsbey, their second child together.
A smiling Sen. Tammy Duckworth is wheeled around Capitol Hill Thursday with her 10-day-old daughter Maile as she heads to the Senate floor to make a historic vote
Sen. Tammy Duckworth used Twitter to show off baby Maile’s Senate-appropriate outfit. On Wednesday the Senate voted to allow children under one year of age to be on the floor
Sen. Tammy Duckworth is greeted by her colleagues on the Senate floor as she brings baby Maile to work with her, in a historic first
Sen. Tammy Duckworth (circled) makes history on the Senate floor Thursday, by casting a vote with her newborn baby at her side
Then on Wednesday, the Senate voted unanimously on a resolution that would allow Duckworth – or any other senator – to bring a child under one year of age onto the Senate floor during votes.
‘The Senate is leading by example and sending the important message that working parents everywhere deserve family-friendly workplace policies,’ the Illinois Democrat said in a statement.
‘These policies aren’t just a women’s issue, they are a common-sense economic issue,’ she added.
Sensing the opportunity would come on Thursday, Duckworth previewed young Maile’s outfit in a tweet, explaining that it complied with Senate rules.
‘I may have to vote today, so Maile’s outfit is prepped,’ she said. ‘I made sure she has a jacket so she doesn’t violate the Senate floor dress code (which requires blazers).’
‘I’m not sure what the policy is on duckling onesies, but I think we’re ready,’ she added.
She had paired a teal button-down baby sweater with white and yellow pajamas.
On Thursday afternoon, Duckworth was spotted in her wheelchair with her baby on her lap, a light pink hat on Maile’s head.
Duckworth is one of only 10 lawmakers to ever give birth while serving in Congress.
In January, the Illinois Democrat first told Chicago Sun-Times columnist Lynn Sweet that she was expecting.
‘I’ve had multiple IVF cycles and a miscarriage trying to conceive again, so we’re very grateful,’ Duckworth told Sweet.
The miscarriage occurred during Duckworth’s 2016 Senate campaign.
Since the birth of her first daughter, Duckworth has authored measured to better improve the lives of America’s mothers, including pushing for airports to provide space where mothers to pump milk.
‘Parenthood isn’t just a women’s issue, it’s an economic issue and one that affects all parents – men and women alike,’ Duckworth said in a statement Monday. ‘As tough as juggling the demands of motherhood and being a Senator can be, I’m hardly alone or unique as a working parent, and my children only make me more committed to doing my job and standing up for hardworking families everywhere.’