""There is no parental leave [for Congress members]. They still do things the way they did almost 250 years ago. The challenge was not about whether I should be working-because I understand how essential this is to represent my constituents-but it was being there in person that was so limiting. I knew I was going to do everything I could to be here for a critical vote where I could make a difference."
""I went back and forth a thousand times the day before on Do I leave him? Do I bring him? You're physically still recovering from birth. Your newborn's really vulnerable without having all the vaccines and being exposed to so many germs. Ultimately, I knew my son needed me and my constituents needed me and there was only one option: to fly with him across the country."
""He was the first baby in US history to ever be held on the House floor while [their parent was] speaking-which I didn't know. People on the floor call him Member No. 436. "Americans were shocked to learn there were no accommodations for somebody like me who was unable to board a plane close to my due date and then when I was post-birth and recovering and taking care of my newborn."
Representative Brittany Pettersen gave birth to her second son, Sam, earlier this year and became the 14th voting member of Congress to give birth while in office. Congressional rules do not allow new parents to vote remotely and there is no parental leave for members. Pettersen returned for a pivotal House budget vote when Sam was four weeks old, traveling with her newborn despite recovery and exposure risks. The newborn was held on the House floor and nicknamed Member No. 436. Many Americans reacted with shock at the lack of accommodations for postpartum lawmakers.
Read at Washingtonian - The website that Washington lives by.
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