"I could hear how sincere she was about advocacy," Gillibrand said, adding that she offered to give Markle the phone numbers of her Republican colleagues.
GOP Sens. Shelly Moore Capito of West Virginia and Susan Collins of Maine both reportedly received direct calls from Markle, according to The 19th.
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Gillibrand told the outlet that she wants Markle to visit Washington D.C. for the bipartisan dinner she's hosting in the coming month with all the women senators.
She told The 19th that GOP Sen. Deb Fisher of Nebraska was "delighted and looking forward to that conversation."
Representatives for Sen. Gillibrand and the Duchess of Sussex did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment.
Sen. Capito recalled when Markle called her as she was driving this month, Politico reported.
"I'm in my car. I'm driving. It says caller ID blocked. Honestly … I thought it was Sen. Manchin. His calls come in blocked. And she goes 'Sen. Capito?' I said, 'Yes.' She said, 'This is Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex," Capito told Politico.
"I'm not an elected official, and I'm not a politician," Markle wrote. "I am, like many, an engaged citizen and a parent. And because you and your congressional colleagues have a role in shaping family outcomes for generations to come, that's why I'm writing to you at this deeply important time - as a mom - to advocate for paid leave."
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