Representative Brittany Pettersen, elected to serve Colorado’s seventh Congressional District, has shown incredible commitment to her role by taking significant steps to ensure her constituents are represented. In a remarkable display of dedication, on February 25, Pettersen flew from Colorado to Washington, D.C., with her 4-week-old infant to cast a crucial vote on a budget bill.
On January 27, Pettersen shared her frustration with the lack of accommodations for new parents in Congress on her website. She expressed how challenging it was to balance recovery from childbirth and caring for her newborn while knowing that her absence from Washington meant her constituents would not have a voice in an important matter. Pettersen’s statement reflected the struggle many new parents face when trying to fulfill their professional responsibilities while also tending to their families.
From January 13, the last day her doctor cleared her to fly, until February 25, Pettersen was unable to participate in voting. During this period, she pushed for Congress to reinstate proxy voting for new parents. Proxy voting, which was introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic, allowed representatives to cast their votes remotely.
It was a helpful tool not only for new parents but also for Congressional members who were facing other significant challenges, like caring for aging parents or recovering from serious health issues. Unfortunately, Congress discontinued proxy voting in 2022, leaving Pettersen with no choice but to be physically present in Washington, D.C.
Pettersen, along with Anna Paulina Luna, a Congressional representative from Florida, has been advocating for bipartisan support to allow new mothers to vote remotely for up to six weeks after childbirth. Their goal is to create more flexibility for new parents in Congress, ensuring they can fulfill their duties while recovering from the physical demands of childbirth and caring for an infant.
Despite her own challenges in recovering from childbirth, Pettersen decided to travel to Washington to cast her vote. Although still physically healing, she flew to the U.S. Capitol and stepped up to the podium with her swaddled baby, Sam, in her arms to address Congress. “Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise today with my newborn, Sam, who’s just 4 weeks old,” she said. Pettersen made it clear that she wasn’t going to let the lack of remote voting options stop her from representing the people who had elected her.
In a touching moment, as Sam let out a tiny yelp during her speech, Pettersen smiled and calmly responded, “I agree, Sam,” acknowledging her baby’s contribution to the moment. The video of her speech, where she shared the experience with her followers, quickly gained attention on social media. In the caption of her Instagram post, she wrote, “Nobody fights harder than a mom,” highlighting the dedication and resilience of mothers who balance both their personal and professional responsibilities.
This move by Pettersen has sparked a larger conversation about the need for reforms in Congress to support new parents, especially mothers, who should not have to choose between their role as a parent and their ability to serve their constituents.
The ongoing push for proxy voting for new parents aims to provide a solution that would allow for more flexibility, ensuring that representatives can continue to serve their communities without sacrificing their health or family life.
Pettersen’s actions have inspired many and highlighted the challenges that new parents in positions of power face. Her courage to fly back to Washington, D.C. just weeks after childbirth not only shows her commitment to her job but also her commitment to making sure her voice is heard on important issues.
This moment has resonated with many, especially new parents in the workforce, who often face similar struggles in balancing their professional and personal lives. By raising awareness for the need to support new parents, Pettersen is encouraging a broader conversation about how to make Congress a more inclusive and accommodating place for people in all stages of life.
The push for reforms in Congress to support new parents, particularly mothers, is gaining traction, and Pettersen’s advocacy will likely continue to play a key role in this effort. As more leaders like Pettersen and Luna work together to advocate for change, there is hope that Congress will consider solutions that will allow new parents to serve their communities while also caring for their families.
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