Senate expected to approve resolution that would allow Duckworth to bring newborn onto floor

Senators are reportedly expected to approve a resolution submitted by Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.) that would let senators bring children under a year old on the floor.

Politico reported that Duckworth — the first senator to give birth while in office — submitted a resolution that would give her the ability to bring her newborn onto the Senate floor while the chamber is in session.

{mosads}The Illinois Democrat is seeking to change the Senate rules, which bar children from being on the floor. Duckworth wants to come to the Senate to vote when necessary as she takes an unofficial maternity leave, according to Politico. 

To vote, senators need to be in the Senate chamber in person. 

“I can’t be away from a newborn infant in the first three months for that long,” Duckworth told Politico before her baby was born.

Duckworth’s chief of staff, Kaitlin Fahey, told The Hill that the senator is “glad to be able to offer this legislation to ensure no senator with an infant is prevented from performing their constitutional responsibilities—and send a message that working parents everywhere deserve family-friendly workplace policies.”

“She is optimistic that this will be resolved quickly,” she said.

According to Politico, members on the House Rules Committee are expected to move the measure forward. The measure would then go before the full Senate to approve.

Duckworth gave birth to her daughter earlier this month.

Maile Pearl Bowlsbey is Duckworth’s second child with her husband, Brian Bowlsbey, her office said.

She had previously said she was working with party leadership to change Senate rules so she could bring her baby onto the Senate floor while the chamber is in session.