WASHINGTON -- When Rep. Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) considered whether to run for House speaker, one of his main considerations was whether he would still be able to carve out time to spend with his wife and three children .

"I cannot, and will not, give up my family time," Ryan said in October.

His remarks were notable, in part, because they came from a man. Traditionally, female politicians are the ones who have had to answer extensive questions about how they can handle the demands of elected office while also being a wife and mother .

While running for governor of North Dakota in 2000, Democrat Heidi Heitkamp -- who is now a U.S. senator -- was often asked how old her kids were. She would respond that they were the same age as her male opponent's children.

In the 2008 election, Republican Sarah Palin faced constant questions and skepticism from some voters that she would be able to be vice president while taking care of an infant with Down syndrome. Ryan, meanwhile, faced very few questions about his young children when he ran for vice president in 2012, even though his family is also central to his considerations.

The Huffington Post gave four male members of Congress -- Rep. Dave Brat (R-Va.), Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), Rep. Sean Maloney (D-N.Y.) and Rep. Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.) -- the chance to answer some of these questions as well. All made clear that ensuring they have enough time to spend with their families remains a central consideration for them.

These interviews have been edited for length and clarity.

Rep. Dave Brat (R-Va.)