General Discussion

karynnj

(59,501 posts)

79. Consider that the same rules applied to seriously ill Senators

Thu Mar 1, 2018, 11:30 AM

Mar 2018

They needed to be physically present to vote. Remember McCain and Kennedy respectively showing up?

As to committee hearings, they have some options. They can watch live coverage of any open hearings and have staffers there. If they were watching and had a question not asked, they could get a message to a staffer and a peer could ask the question. Her office would continue to work for constituents.

As to nursing, she has a private office with a door. She is in a far better situation than most working moms. As to nursing on the floor of the Senate, it doesn't make sense. If you ever visited the Senate, you would know Senators don't often sit there other than right before they speak. They can watch from their office via CSPAN.

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Sen. Duckworth will be penalized for taking any maternity leave [View all] ehrnst Feb 2018 OP

Our institutions are built on oppression. WhiskeyGrinder Feb 2018 #1

This is horrible! Leighbythesea Feb 2018 #2

Done and shared to Facebook. GreenPartyVoter Feb 2018 #3

Signed and Delivered. Cha Feb 2018 #4

Hmmm, maybe I dreamt this, but GWC58 Feb 2018 #5

Women don't nurse at their desks at work. There is a nursing area at most work places. AJT Feb 2018 #6

And if she takes time off to pump on a schedule? ehrnst Feb 2018 #8

They aren't voting 24/7. Congress people come and go throughout the day. AJT Feb 2018 #12

When you need to pump, you need to pump. (nt) ehrnst Feb 2018 #15

Once you empty your breasts, you can go many hours without pumping. rainin Feb 2018 #48

The thing is, that maternity leave is a different sort of "medical leave" ehrnst Feb 2018 #22

Consider that the same rules applied to seriously ill Senators karynnj Mar 2018 #79

Post removed Post removed Feb 2018 #30

As much as I would enjoy seeing Pence and a few others be discomfited by her nursing on the floor Lithos Feb 2018 #44

Post removed Post removed Feb 2018 #49

The idea that she would pump on the Senate floor or in a committee PoindexterOglethorpe Feb 2018 #36

Women working regular jobs (teacher, nurse, clerk, lawyer) manage to do it dflprincess Feb 2018 #54

Indeed EffieBlack Feb 2018 #55

Yeah, I don't get what the issue is. Hassin Bin Sober Feb 2018 #59

If every Senator has an office, was Gillibrand leaving her kids in Reid's office... moriah Mar 2018 #64

The Lindy Boggs Room EffieBlack Mar 2018 #65

LB Reading Room is closer to the House floor. Wrong wing. moriah Mar 2018 #66

Whoops - you're right. That popped into my mind and I forgot that's on the House side! EffieBlack Mar 2018 #68

Truthfully, if kid is quiet, I think she ought to be allowed to feed on the floor. moriah Mar 2018 #69

I hadn't thought of that, but that makes sense EffieBlack Mar 2018 #71

Glad I was able to make you laugh! moriah Mar 2018 #78

I'm sure she already has a hideaway. EffieBlack Mar 2018 #85

You got me... kag Mar 2018 #93

Our pastor has nursed during worship gratuitous Feb 2018 #13

Hear, here! n/t TwistOneUp Feb 2018 #37

Aging hippies and a Majority Republican Congress? whathehell Feb 2018 #53

Thank you. whathehell Feb 2018 #52

With Duckworth's mobility issues it's harder for her to do a Gillibrand nursing strategy. moriah Mar 2018 #61

A little hyperbolic onenote Feb 2018 #7

Not if you have been in a situation where your pumping was not accomodated. ehrnst Feb 2018 #9

She is not in that situation. marybourg Feb 2018 #20

However, there is the ban on authoring legislation. ehrnst Feb 2018 #25

What's the problem? marybourg Feb 2018 #31

There is no "bar" on authoring legislation if you're on leave. onenote Feb 2018 #58

No, there isnt EffieBlack Mar 2018 #62

Physical presence does seem a bit arcane. thesquanderer Feb 2018 #19

Bingo!!! 7962 Feb 2018 #21

Thats not it EffieBlack Mar 2018 #63

Interesting point, but compromise could be reached. thesquanderer Mar 2018 #75

They will never allow phone in votes EffieBlack Mar 2018 #83

Thanks, onenote. Sometimes facts can be so darned elleng Feb 2018 #28

A voice of reason. Thanks hueymahl Feb 2018 #39

This sounds blatantly illegal to me. lpbk2713 Feb 2018 #10

The Senate didn't even have restrooms for women when women were finally elected ehrnst Feb 2018 #17

Someone posted an explanation further up rpannier Feb 2018 #35

its ok to lose your legs for your country but you cant breastfeed???? samnsara Feb 2018 #11

Watch the republican menturn their backs on her marlakay Feb 2018 #14

So while it's inside her, it's precious ProudLib72 Feb 2018 #16

exactly bdamomma Mar 2018 #80

Considering that all Senators have to actually be present to vote... GulfCoast66 Feb 2018 #18

I dont have a problem with her not being able to vote if on leave. NCTraveler Feb 2018 #23

Well, that might be misleading. If she takes leave, like McCain is doing.... Honeycombe8 Feb 2018 #24

Well tr-dumpie didn't take any time off.... magicarpet Feb 2018 #26

This is not likely to be a problem EffieBlack Feb 2018 #27

It's the authoring of the legislation that's worrying me. ehrnst Feb 2018 #33

I don't understand what you're talking about EffieBlack Feb 2018 #40

Theres nothing to this at all. Action_Patrol Feb 2018 #45

Exactly! EffieBlack Feb 2018 #46

My thought as well. NCTraveler Mar 2018 #86

Watch for McConnell and the other traitors to concede nothing to her. Eliot Rosewater Feb 2018 #29

Done. Thank you. It won't work, though, because republicans are in charge and they are evil scum. Squinch Feb 2018 #32

It appears, warmfeet Feb 2018 #34

No more donations from me for males! Fuck them williesgirl Feb 2018 #38

How very progressive of you. NT hueymahl Feb 2018 #41

Sorry, I was angry and venting. williesgirl Feb 2018 #51

Ive been there. hueymahl Feb 2018 #56

Why would she take a leave? former9thward Feb 2018 #42

Some actually do take "leave" but not as normally defined EffieBlack Feb 2018 #57

THAT IS B.S. onecent Feb 2018 #43

Her Repub predecessor was out for years w/massive stroke and I don't believe he was ever "on leave" Gidney N Cloyd Feb 2018 #47

This message was self-deleted by its author EffieBlack Feb 2018 #50

Do the same rules apply to male senators who take sick leave? Crunchy Frog Mar 2018 #60

Problem solved Gabi Hayes Mar 2018 #67

Thanks for the blood pressure rise.. mountain grammy Mar 2018 #70

exactly bdamomma Mar 2018 #81

K&R and thanks! nt tblue37 Mar 2018 #72

Is she being treated the same as Senator McCain? Generic Brad Mar 2018 #73

Exactly the same. onenote Mar 2018 #74

Yeah, cuz... kag Mar 2018 #94

This is no different than any other occupation EffieBlack Mar 2018 #96

It's the same because the rule is you have to vote in person and you have to present a bill onenote Mar 2018 #99

Meanwhile in Iceland, politicians can breastfeed while giving speeches mainer Mar 2018 #76

just shows you bdamomma Mar 2018 #77

You're being lied to and played EffieBlack Mar 2018 #84

McTurtle would probably have the Sergeant-at-Arms arrest the nursing kid on the Senate floor. DFW Mar 2018 #82

Duckworth is one strong woman DownriverDem Mar 2018 #87

Whip out her boob and pump on Senate floor. I would dare any senator to make it an issue. Pepsidog Mar 2018 #88

She should pump on Senate floor and dare anyone to stop her or criticize her. Pepsidog Mar 2018 #89

Phoned Udall, Phoned Heinrich. TygrBright Mar 2018 #90

Done and shared. NT lisby Mar 2018 #91

So a senator can run someone down, drunk, with a car, 'on the way to a vote' and AtheistCrusader Mar 2018 #92

Who said she can't take maternity leave? EffieBlack Mar 2018 #95

Sorry, I left out the implicit 'and continue to vote'. AtheistCrusader Mar 2018 #98

No. Not at all EffieBlack Mar 2018 #100

So she can take maternity leave and still vote if present? AtheistCrusader Mar 2018 #101

Yes. EffieBlack Mar 2018 #102

Thank you so much for clarifying. AtheistCrusader Mar 2018 #103

Not by the 51% of US citizens that have a uterus ... and those in the 49% that love them. scheming daemons Mar 2018 #97