U.S. Sen. Tammy Duckworth says she's returning to full-time work after 12 weeks of leave to care for her baby.
The Illinois Democrat and only sitting senator in U.S. history to give birth said she stayed at her Washington home as much as possible but returned to the Senate for critical votes.
Her daughter, Maile Bowlsbey, was born in April.
Duckworth said her leave ends Monday. She said it was nice to "sort of be able to shut out the world" while also getting weekly briefing books from staff.
She's breastfeeding her daughter so the baby and a nanny will be joining her at work.
Duckworth said she plans to participate in July Fourth parades in Evanston and Chicago's Hyde Park neighborhood.
The senator historically brought her infant into the chamber when Duckworth needed to be on hand to vote on the Senate floor.
"Made sure she has a jacket so she doesn’t violate the Senate floor dress code requiring blazers," Duckworth wrote on Twitter the day before. "Not sure what the policy is on duckling onesies but I think we’re ready."
In an earlier statement, Duckworth thanked her colleagues for "helping bring the Senate into the 21st Century by recognizing that sometimes new parents also have responsibilities at work."
