California state assemblyman Buffy Wicks is hoping she can help propel the discussion about family leave after the image of her speaking on the Assembly floor on Monday with her newborn strapped to her chest went viral.
Wicks was denied the ability to vote by proxy because her recent labor didn’t qualify her as being at high risk for the coronavirus. Wicks, who gave birth in late July, traveled from Sacramento to Oakland for the final day of the session, where legislation was being debated until midnight.
Absolutely devastated about #SB1120. Our housing crisis requires us to act, and tonight we failed to do that.
But I promise you this: I will *always* show up for housing — no matter what. pic.twitter.com/I4n6X07CNp
— Buffy Wicks (@BuffyWicks) September 1, 2020
“We’ve failed in this country — especially families with younger kids,” Wicks told Politico on Thursday. “Especially working-class families, communities of color. I think what we have to do now is galvanize this moment with policies that help working families.”
The Democrat was denied the ability to vote by proxy even as Republicans in the state Senate were allowed to vote remotely.
Video footage showed Wicks speaking on behalf of creating more multiunit housing while wearing a mask, with her daughter held against her chest.
“Please, please, please pass this bill,” Wicks said in a video she posted to Twitter. “And I’m going to go finish feeding my daughter.”
California Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon, who adopted the rules on voting by proxy in August, apologized to Wicks after she garnered national attention.
“I want to make a full apology to Assemblymember Wicks,” Rendon said in a statement. “My intention was never to be inconsiderate toward her, her role as a legislator, or her role as a mother.”
The incident caught the attention of former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.
“California Assemblymember @buffywicks was told that having recently given birth wasn’t sufficient excuse to cast a vote remotely. So she brought her newborn daughter to the floor to weigh in on an important housing bill,” Clinton tweeted Tuesday.
California Assemblymember @buffywicks was told that having recently given birth wasn’t sufficient excuse to cast a vote remotely.
So she brought her newborn daughter to the floor to weigh in on an important housing bill. ?https://t.co/elofHmIcxl pic.twitter.com/ZQf9F10qKE
— Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) September 1, 2020
Wicks said she’s received an outpouring of support since the event came to light, and she hopes it will help extend leave pay and job security for women, especially as the pandemic takes its toll on millions of families.
“We have to have a paid national leave policy. Period,” Wicks said.
