Washington Congresswoman McMorris Rodgers Celebrates Mother's Day With New Baby

WASHINGTON – Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers had extra reason to celebrate this Mother's Day.

Her 2-week-old son Cole is recovering after stomach surgery and is expected home soon, her office said Monday. Cole, who was born prematurely on April 29, was fed milk for the first time on Friday.

He needed surgery to repair a blockage from his stomach to his small intestine, said Jill Strait, a spokeswoman for McMorris Rodgers.

The baby remains in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Bethesda Naval Hospital in suburban Maryland, but is expected home in the next few days, Strait said.

McMorris Rodgers, a second-term Republican from Eastern Washington's 5th District, became the first member of Congress in more than a decade to give birth when her son was born a month early.

The baby, which was due on May 29, weighed 5 pounds, 9 ounces at birth, her office said.

The former Cathy McMorris, 37, married Brian Rodgers last year and this is her first child.

Strait said the congresswoman plans to take at least a month off.

McMorris Rodgers is the fifth woman to give birth while serving in Congress, according to research by her aides. All have been members of the House.

The last member of Congress to give birth while in office was then-Rep. Blanche Lincoln, D-Ark., whose twin sons were born in 1996.