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Senate to allow babies on chamber floor during votes

'Being a parent is a difficult job, and the Senate rules shouldn't make it any harder,' Senate Rules Committee Chairman Roy Blunt said after the vote.
Credit: Shannon Finney/Getty Images
U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth introduces Joe Walsh ay the VetsAid Charity Benefit Concert at Eagle Bank Arena on September 20, 2017 in Fairfax, Virginia.

WASHINGTON — The Senate unanimously passed a resolution Wednesday allowing lawmakers to bring their babies onto the floor during votes — a move that will allow Sen. Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill., to bring her newborn with her to work in Washington.

Duckworth gave birth to a baby girl, Maile Pearl Bowlsbey, earlier this month — becoming the first senator to give birth while in office. Duckworth pushed for the change in Senate rules so she could cast votes as she juggles her senatorial duties with motherhood.

Her Senate colleagues quickly embraced the change. The new rule will allow senators to bring infants under age 1 on the floor, something not previously allowed.

“Being a parent is a difficult job, and the Senate rules shouldn’t make it any harder,” Senate Rules Committee Chairman Roy Blunt, R-Mo., said after the vote. “I’m glad we were able to get this done to address the needs of parents in the Senate.”

“Maile Pearl, welcome to the world — and welcome to the United States Senate,” said Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill. The No. 2 Senate Democrat said it will “do us good, every once in a while, to see a pacifier next to the antique inkwells on our desks, or a diaper bag next to a brass spittoon that hasn’t been used in decades.”

Duckworth thanked her colleagues for Wednesday’s action, saying, “The Senate is leading by example and sending the important message that working parents everywhere deserve family-friendly workplace policies.”

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