Joe Kennedy III and his wife Lauren Anne Birchfield are “over the moon” at the birth of their second child.
The Massachusetts Representative announced the happy news via his personal Twitter account.
The second child born to the lawyer and politician and his spouse Lauren Anne Birchfield, arrived early on Wednesday.
Meet James Matthew Kennedy. Born early this morning and doing great. First gift he received was (appropriately) a Patriots jersey from Grandpa Joe. Thanks to all for the kind words. We are exhausted, over the moon and deeply grateful! pic.twitter.com/F7D1ZVlDK7
— Rep. Joe Kennedy III (@RepJoeKennedy) December 21, 2017
The couple, who met twelve years ago in Harvard Law School, already have a daughter Eleanor ‘Ellie’ - who was born almost exactly two years before her new baby brother.
The chosen moniker for the newest member of the Kennedy clan pays homage to Joe’s twin brother Matthew.
Read More: Joe Kennedy III reflects on his great-uncle's legacy and why he got into politics
The birth meant that Kennedy missed the historic House vote on President Trump’s proposed tax overhaul. The Democratic politician previously stated he would oppose the legislation.
The politician also took to Twitter to urge Congress to renew the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), which provides coverage to the children of families who earn too much to qualify for Medicaid, but do not receive insurance through their employers.
If Congress doesn’t renew CHIP, care will be out of reach for 160,000 panicked MA kids. Sitting in the hospital now with my newborn son, this couldn’t feel more unconscionable. This cannot wait another day.
— Rep. Joe Kennedy III (@RepJoeKennedy) December 21, 2017
Federal funding for CHIP ran out on September 30th. According to news resource Axios, the Senate is unlikely to address outstanding health care issues until the new year.
Read More: Joe Kennedy III schools Paul Ryan on healthcare