‘Moms in the House’ caucus: US congresswomen have motherhood in common

Nine women gathered for an early breakfast on a recent morning – fellow mothers and members of the House of Representatives, joined by FCC commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel.

For Rosenworcel, who was invited to talk about her experience as a working mom and the only female FCC commissioner, a defining encounter occurred during a business negotiation years ago, when a man said to her: “It must be so hard for you to do this job as a mom.” (She was so infuriated, she says, “I got everything I wanted out of that negotiation, and then some.”)

The 2018 election saw a historic influx of female lawmakers – and Representative Debbie Wasserman Schultz (Florida), who came to Washington in 2005 as the mother of twin 5-year-olds and a 1-year-old, decided the time had come to launch what she calls the “Moms in the House” caucus. She invited the 25 mothers of school-age children in the house (21 Democrats and four Republicans) to join the group, the first of its kind in congressional history.

Incidentally, Rep Angie Craig (Minnesota), is the first lesbian mother elected to congress.

via Independent