Duckworth first senator to give birth in office

Tammy Duckworth is a female, 49-year-old Democratic senator currently serving the state of Illinois. She’s about to accomplish something no other senator has ever done: give birth to a child while in office. As a retired U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonel, Duckworth lost both of her legs in the Iraq War piloting a Blackhawk helicopter and was the first female double amputee of the war.
After tweeting about her “exciting personal news,” Duckworth’s colleagues have responded positively. Senator Dick Durbin of Illinois said in a statement to NBC, “I couldn’t be happier for her. I have learned to never underestimate Tammy Duckworth.”
Aside from Duckworth’s news, this situation brings about a conversation about maternity leave in the United States. Duckworth gave birth to her daughter, Abigail O’Kalani Bowlsbey, in November 2014. At the time, she was serving in the House of Representatives and received twelve weeks of paid maternity leave. However, most American mothers are less fortunate, some receiving twelve weeks unpaid leave, but few qualifying for paid leave. According to the Pew Research Center, the United States is the only developed country that does not mandate paid leave for employers to bestow upon new mothers and fathers.
Humanities freshman Joann Cho commented on maternity leave: “I think all companies should [give paid leave] or at least, I would if I owned them.”
Duckworth’s unborn child will be the first baby born to a mother in the Senate, while ten children have already been born to mothers serving on Congress.
Senator Duckworth admits that being a mother affects her legislation on certain issues. Since becoming a parent, she has show her support towards legislation for childcare for student parents, breastfeeding facilities in airports, and parental leave for members of the military.
Duckworth expressed her experience with pregnancy in politics: “You’ve got to keep working,” she said in a statement to the Chicago Tribune. “But I’m healthy. I’m well-monitored, and the doctors say I’m doing just fine.” Duckworth is expected to give birth in April.