US Representative Brittany Pettersen gavebirthto her son, Sam, on January 25.
It is about being physically unable to vote in person because of medical reasons.
Can you explain what was agreed on?
Rep. Brittany Pettersen
What is vote pairing, exactly?
Of course there will be no Republican that will do that.
Were voting on the budget.
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It brings a political liability if youre on record voting present instead of voting for it or against it.
It doesnt guarantee that the absent lawmaker has a voice and that youre represented under these narrow circumstances.
Representative Luna, a Republican, was a key ally for you in this fight.
And so theres a point at which, just politically, how long could she take this fight on?
You gave birth 10 weeks ago and have now travelled to Washington, DC, to vote four times.
What has this experience been like for you?
The job requires working nearly every day.
And then choosing between prioritizing the health of my newborn at home.
So it was a terrible position to be in.
Im grateful that Sams okay.
But it was very scary and upsetting.
What is a typical day like for you with an infant working on the Hill?
So my husband was at home with Davis, and Sam came with me and I went by myself.
I would say its not even the airport and the airplane thats the hardest.
Its sleep and getting ready.
Are you getting any sleep?
Those are things that all parents understand and have been through.
Your main adversary in the fight to change these rules has been Speaker Johnson.
Do you have insight as to why hes been so against it?
I feel like its fighting against the status quo.
I mean, when these rules were written, neither you or I could even vote.
Yeah, let alone be in office.
Youre juggling a lotfrom doing your job in Congress to traveling alone with a newborn and also being postpartum.
How are you coping?
Sometimes I forget the questions that people are asking me or if Ive already answered it.
But thats been a challenge.
Whats the future for proxy voting for parents?
Is this something that you will readdress if the House majority changes parties in 2026 or 2028?
Oh, when we get the majority, were getting this done.
So we made a lot of headway.
We changed hearts and minds.
We built a large coalition, and we brought awareness to this issue, and Im proud of that.
How much longer will you be bringing Sam to DC?
Like so many people, its hard to find childcare and Im on a wait list.
Were slotted in for the summer.
Until then Sam is going to be coming with me to Washington until he has full-time daycare.
Those are the issues that people want us to focus on.
Investing in that infrastructure and supporting those childcare deserts.
So we have a lot of work to do.
This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
