Sen. Duckworth will be penalized for taking any maternity leave

[ehrnst]

22. The thing is, that maternity leave is a different sort of "medical leave"

It doesn't mean that you can't function at work. It means you are taking time to spend time at home more with the baby, as you adjust. Sleep makes things difficult, but not impossible.

The idea that she has to be at the office full time in order to be considered fit to author legislation, because the only reason a man would not be there would be because he is incapacitated shows the folly of that sort of policy.

Yes, she can still be a "strong woman" and need the flexible time in the early days after birth.

Sarah Palin bought into that 'I have to show that I'm a strong woman by being just like one of the men" crap when she showed up to work 4 days after giving birth to a high risk labor for a special needs child.

That shit doesn't need to be perpetuated in the Senate.