McMorris Rodgers gives birth to son

Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers gave birth to a boy early Sunday.

Cole McMorris Rodgers was born at 3:14 a.m. Sunday at Bethesda Naval Hospital.

He was a month premature and is in the hospital’s neonatal intensive care unit to be treated for minor complications.

Cole is McMorris Rodgers and husband Brian Rodgers’ first baby.

“Brian and I are overjoyed by the birth of our son. Although he arrived early, both baby and I are doing well and recovering at the hospital. We look forward to soon being able to bring our son home,” McMorris Rodgers said in a written statement.

The Republican representative is just the fifth woman to give birth while serving in Congress. The last congressional birth was more than 10 years ago, when Arkansas Rep. Blanche Lincoln had twin sons in 1996.

Cole weighs five pounds, nine ounces.

“They were undecided on a name up to Saturday,” said McMorris Rodgers’ spokeswoman Jill Strait.

Strait said McMorris Rodgers will take off a month before beginning to work from home and return to the House of Representatives for votes.

Children younger than 12 are allowed on the House floor, so McMorris Rodgers will be able to bring baby Cole with her.

But serving as the object of cooing adoration will be the extent of Cole’s duties.

“Unfortunately, Washington state will not be getting another vote,” said Strait.