United States

Duckworth Announces Pregnancy, Will Be First Senator to Give Birth in Office

Sen. Tammy Duckworth announced Tuesday that she is expecting her second child, and will be the first U.S. senator to give birth while in office. 

"Bryan and I are thrilled that our family is getting a little bit bigger, and Abigail is ecstatic to welcome her baby sister home this spring," the Illinois Democrat said in a statement.

Duckworth and her husband Bryan Bowlsbey welcomed their first daughter in November 2014.

"We are all so grateful for the love and support of our friends and family, and I want to thank the wonderful staff at both Northwestern Medicine and GW for everything they’ve done to help us in our decades-long journey to complete our family," her statement continued.

With her first child, Duckworth became one of 10 women to give birth while serving in Congress, her office said in a statement. The Iraq war veteran, who lost both legs when the helicopter she was co-piloting was hit by a grenade in 2004, previously represented the 8th Congressional District before her election to the U.S. Senate in 2016.

With her second child, Duckworth will become the first sitting U.S. Senator to give birth while in office, according to her statement.

"Parenthood isn’t just a women’s issue, it’s an economic issue and an issue that affects all parents—men and women alike," Duckworth said. "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 Abigail has only made me more committed to doing my job and standing up for hardworking families everywhere."

Sen. Dick Durbin, D.-Ill., congratulated his colleague in a heartfelt statement.

"From the moment she came into my office 13 years ago, I knew that Tammy Duckworth was one of the most extraordinary people I would ever meet," Durbin said.

"Her determination as a veteran with disabilities to overcome grievous combat injuries and lead a full life demonstrated a level of courage which inspires us all."

"When she told me several weeks ago that she and Bryan were expecting a new baby to join their little Abigail, I was speechless," Durbin continued. "I have learned to never underestimate Tammy Duckworth. I am proud to have her as my Illinois colleague and prouder still that she will make history by being the first U.S. Senator to have a baby while in office. I couldn’t be happier for her."

While the statement did not reveal her due date, the Chicago Sun-Times reports that Duckworth is expected to give birth in April.

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