Arizona Congressman Ruben Gallego is heading out on paternity leave following the birth of his new baby.
Gallego announced Friday that he and his wife, Sydney ,had welcomed a daughter, Isla Jean Gallego, on July 3.
Gallego said he plans to step away from his Congressional duties for a few weeks. In the announcement, he said he’s lucky to be able to take time off and pointed out paternity leave is still the exception rather than the rule for much of the U.S. workforce.
"Caring for a newborn is not easy, and as a dad, I need to be there for my family. This is not a decision I take lightly. Serving the people of Arizona is my greatest honor and responsibility — next to being a parent," Gallego said in a press release. “I am blessed with a career that allows me to take paternity leave, and yet, across the country, leave is treated as an outlier at best and a punchline at worst."
Gallego also has a 6-year-old son from his previous marriage to Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego.
Sydney and I are proud to welcome our daughter Isla into the world. These past few days together as a new family have been wonderful, and we are lucky that mom and daughter are healthy and home. pic.twitter.com/VcRlENvi9c
— Ruben Gallego (@RepRubenGallego) July 7, 2023
