Sen. Duckworth will be penalized for taking any maternity leave

[EffieBlack]

102. Yes.

There really isn't "maternity leave" in the House or Senate in the same sense as in the private sector since Senators don't work 9-5 and can take time off whenever they want. But even when they aren't working, they are considered in duty status because Senators are Senators 24/7, whether they are actually working or not. They usually don't take time off when the Senate is in session because they need to be in Washington to vote. But if they're going to miss votes, they usually will let the leadership know so their absence is recorded along with the reason therefor, but that's not a requirement.

Senator Duckworth is due in late April. The Senate is scheduled to be on recess from April 28- May 4, so there won't be any votes during that time. But she will likely (but not necessarily since she seems pretty robust) miss votes in early May. But she'll still be a Senator and can conduct Senate business, including meeting/talking with her staff, meeting with constituents, drafting legislation (although the legislation is usually drafted by staff in conjunction with Legislative Counsel and then edited/approved by the Senator). She can put participate in meetings with her colleagues and staff by phone or video. She can put floor statements into the record, participate in her committee hearings by having her statements entered into the record and question witnesses by submitting questions in writing or having one of colleagues ask them on her behalf. She can even vote in committee by having another member or a staffer vote her proxy. The only thing she won't be able to do while she's away is vote since that must be done in person. But if she's in Washington and wants to vote, all she has to do is head on over to the Senate floor and she's good to go.

That's why this "She'll being penalized because she'll be on maternity leave" claim has no connection with the reality and it's a shame so many people are getting their shorts all in a bunch about it.