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The symbolism of the new Senate rule allowing infants on the Senate floor

WASHINGTON, DC - NOVEMBER 07:  Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) (C) talks to reporters with Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer (D-NY) (L) and Sen. Brian Schatz (D-HI) following the weekly Democratic policy luncheon at the U.S. Capitol November 7, 2017 in Washington, DC. The Democratic leaders were critical of the proposed Republican tax cut and reform legislation that is now working its way the House.  (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images
Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) (C) talks to reporters with Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer (D-NY) (L) and Sen. Brian Schatz (D-HI) following the weekly Democratic policy luncheon at the U.S. Capitol November 7, 2017 in Washington, DC.

The U.S. Senate unanimously agreed Wednesday to allow senators to bring babies under the age of one onto the Senate floor during votes.

The U.S. Senate unanimously agreed Wednesday to allow senators to bring babies under the age of one onto the Senate floor during votes.

The move came after Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.) submitted a resolution this week that would allow her to vote on the Senate floor even while she is on  an unofficial maternity leave. Senators must be present on the floor in order to cast votes, and cannot vote by proxy like they would on committees.

Earlier this month, the Illinois Democrat made history when she became the first sitting senator to give birth while in office.

With guest host Libby Denkmann

Guests:

Jennifer Haberkorn, senior health reporter for Politico Pro who has been covering the story; she tweets

Jon Hyman, employment lawyer and author of the Ohio Employer’s Law Blog; he is a partner in the Labor & Employment Group at Cleveland’s Meyers, Roman, Friedberg & Lewis; he tweets

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