Tammy Duckworth gives birth, the first US senator to do so while in office
Sen. Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill., gave birth to a daughter Monday, her office confirmed, becoming the first U.S. senator to have a baby while in office.
Maile Pearl Bowlsbey, is the second daughter for Duckworth and her husband, Bryan Bowlsbey. Their first, Abigail, was born on Nov. 18, 2014, when Duckworth was a member of the House.
The Chicago Sun-Times was the first to report the news.
"Bryan, Abigail and I couldn't be happier to welcome little Maile Pearl as the newest addition to our family and we're deeply honored that our good friend Senator Akaka was able to bless her name for us—his help in naming both of our daughters means he will always be with us," Duckworth said in a statement, referring to the former Sen. Daniel Akaka, who died on April 6.
The statement said that the senator and her family were recovering well.
Pearl Bowlsbey Johnson was Bryan’s great Aunt, an Army Officer & a nurse who served during the Second World War. He spent many summer months with her while growing up, we feel her presence still and are grateful for her service to our nation during the most challenging of times.
— Tammy Duckworth (@SenDuckworth) April 9, 2018
In January, Duckworth said in an interview that aired on Today that conceiving her second daughter was "a struggle."
"It was a very long journey," she said. "We're very, very blessed."
Duckworth is one of only 10 women since the nation's founding who has given birth while serving in Congress, according to the Office of the Historian and the Clerk of the House's Office of Art and Archives.
The statement from Duckworth's office added that her experiences as a working mother have given her a particular perspective serving in Congress, where she has championed issues affecting working families.
"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 the statement. "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."
