Newborns Now Allowed on Senate Floor Thanks To Sen. Tammy Duckworth

U.S. senate to allow newborns on Senate floor

The U.S. Senate is ready for diaper duty. 

In a rare move Wednesday night, Senators approved a motion that would change longstanding rules to allow newborns on the Senate floor during votes for the first time in the chamber's history. The rule change, voted through by unanimous consent, was spearheaded by Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), following the birth of her second child this month. 

Duckworth applauded lawmakers for making the rule change saying they have helped "bring the Senate into the 21st Century by recognizing that sometimes new parents also have responsibilities to work." The Illinois Senator was the first to give birth while in office. 

"By ensuring that no Senator will be prevented from performing their constitutional responsibilities simply because they have a young child, the Senate is leading by example and sending the important message that working parents everywhere deserve family-friendly workplace policies," Duckworth said in a statement after the vote.

"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. "I'm glad we were able to get this done to address the needs of parents in the Senate. I congratulate Sen. Duckworth and her family, and look forward to meeting her daughter. 

Duckworth took maternity in Washington D.C. so that she would be available to cast her vote in the Senate should she be needed. 

For her part, Duckworth says she's ready to take advantage of the rule change writing this morning in a tweet that she hoped her newborn's duckling onesey passed muster for the Senate floor dress code. 

I may have to vote today, so Maile’s outfit is prepped. 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


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