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Rep. Brittany Pettersen welcomes new baby boy to family

Pettersen is only 14th member of Congress to give birth while serving

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U.S. Rep. Brittany Pettersen, a Democrat representing Colorado’s 7th Congressional District, and her husband, Ian Silverii, welcomed their second child to their family over the weekend.

The new baby boy, Samuel Lee Silverii, was born Saturday in Colorado. Pettersen is recovering at home while she cares for her newborn and her new, larger family.

“We are overjoyed to welcome our baby boy, Sam, to our family,” said 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!”

Before her new son’s birth, Pettersen had been vocal about Congress’s lack of accommodations for new parents and has led calls to allow proxy – or remote – voting for members of Congress. Pettersen is only the 14th member of Congress to have a baby while actively serving and the first from Colorado.

“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,” Pettersen said in a release. “No Member should have to choose between caring for their newborn and representing their constituents.”

Pettersen said she will “keep working” for her constituents while still spending time with her family. Her offices in Washington, Lakewood and Cañon City are still open and operational, according to the press release.

“As I spend this time with my family, I will keep working for the people of Colorado’s 7th Congressional District,” she said. “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.”