Press Releases

LAKEWOOD – Today, U.S. Representative Brittany Pettersen (CO-07) and her husband, Ian Silverii, announced the arrival of their second child, Samuel Lee Silverii, born on January 25th, 2025, in Colorado. She is currently at home in Colorado as she cares for her newborn and prioritizes her physical recovery and her new, larger family in the most critical time for childhood development. 

“We are overjoyed to welcome our baby boy, Sam, to our family,” said Rep. Pettersen. “Ian and I are deeply appreciative of the overwhelming love and support we have received from our community in Colorado and my colleagues in Congress. Davis couldn’t be more excited to take on his new role as a big brother!

“Congress makes no accommodations for new parents, so while I’m recovering and taking care of my newborn at this critical time, it's incredibly unfair that my constituents will not have a voice in Congress until I am physically able to return to Washington. No Member should have to choose between caring for their newborn and representing their constituents. I’m disappointed Speaker Johnson has still refused to move forward with my bipartisan proposal to allow Members to vote remotely while they take care of their newborns, but I won’t stop fighting to bring this to the floor for a vote, even while recovering from childbirth.

“As I spend this time with my family, I will keep working for the people of Colorado’s 7th Congressional District. My two boys remind me of what’s at stake, and I’m more committed than ever to making sure my constituents’ voices are heard in Washington.”  

Representative Pettersen is leading the call to allow proxy voting – or remote voting – for Members of Congress who are new parents. This commonsense measure was not implemented by Republican Leadership despite bipartisan support, so Pettersen will continue fighting for this reform. Current House rules prohibit proxy voting, forcing Members to choose between their official duties and taking care of their newborns during a crucial time. 

During her time in the Colorado legislature, Pettersen was the first state lawmaker in Colorado history to take parental leave after giving birth to her son, Davis. Pettersen had to seek permission from Leadership and categorize her absence as a “chronic illness” in order to be paid while on leave. That’s why she brought legislation to change the outdated law and allow for paid parental leave for all future Colorado state lawmakers. 

Pettersen’s offices in Washington, D.C., Lakewood, and Cañon City remain open and fully operational to serve constituents. Her staff will continue to assist Coloradans with navigating federal agencies like the IRS, Social Security, and more.