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By Claire Dickey
Senior Editor
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Representative Anna Paulina Luna successfully gathered enough bipartisan support on Tuesday to force a floor vote on proxy voting for members of Congress who have become new parents, challenging House Speaker Mike Johnson's opposition.
This rare legislative push, marked by filing a discharge petition on March 10, aims to allow new parents to designate a proxy for voting, circumventing traditional procedures.
"Members of Congress shouldn't have to choose between their commitment to their family and their constituents. We're one step closer to ending that dilemma by allowing new and expecting mothers and fathers in Congress the option of voting by proxy," Luna told Newsweek.
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Newsweek reached out to Speaker Mike Johnson's team for comment via email on Wednesday.
Why It Matters
The initial resolution, known officially as H.Res. 163, seeks to address the practical difficulties faced by new parents in Congress, balancing legislative duties with parental responsibilities. The measure, if passed, would directly challenge Johnson's stance against proxy voting, which he has labeled as unconstitutional.
This ongoing conflict not only highlights the evolving dynamics within the House but also broader discussions about workplace accommodations for parents.
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What To Know
On Monday, Luna filed a discharge petition—a rare method used to bring legislation directly to the floor—as Johnson and other leadership had not scheduled the proposal for a vote, effectively blocking it from consideration.
The discharge position targeted a vote on the Proxy Voting for New Parents Resolution, co-led by Representative Brittany Pettersen, who recently needed to travel with her newborn for votes.
Discharge petitions require 218 signatures to proceed, a majority Luna achieved on Tuesday, setting the stage for a vote in the House. Support for the bill included key votes from Democrats and 12 Republicans.
If passed, the bipartisan resolution would allow proxy voting for up to 12 weeks for members affected by birth or pregnancy. Luna has spoken about her challenges as a new mother in Congress, having given birth to her first child during her first term in office in 2023.
Johnson, who has been a vocal critic of proxy voting since the pandemic-era implementations, previously argued that such measures weaken the legislative process and violate the Constitution.
"It's unfortunate. I have great sympathy, empathy, for all of our young women legislators who are of birthing age. It's a real quandary. But I'm afraid it doesn't fit with the language of the Constitution and that's the inescapable truth that we have," Speaker Mike Johnson told CNN in January.
The resolution outlines a temporary measure strictly for new parents, ensuring they do not miss crucial votes while on parental leave, rather than a permanent change to voting procedures.
Read more: GOP Rep: Let New Moms in Congress Vote | Opinion
What People Are Saying
Representative Anna Paulina Luna, a Florida Republican, told Newsweek: "I'm proud of this bipartisan legislation, and we will be bringing it to a vote as soon as possible. We have received overwhelming support from a majority of the conference and have ensured that this legislation is in line with the constitution. If Congress wants to have a governing body that is truly reflective of the American people, it should allow and encourage new parents to vote while in office."
Representative Brittany Pettersen, a Colorado Democrat, wrote on X (formerly Twitter) on Tuesday: "Great news! Our resolution to allow new parents to vote remotely is one step closer to a vote on the House floor. No Member of Congress should have to choose between caring for their newborn and representing their constituents... Sam is only 6 weeks old, but he got to be a part of changing hearts and minds and addressing a barrier that parents and regular people face to serving in Congress."
Representative Mike Lawler, a New York Republican, wrote on X: "As someone who's had the blessing of being a parent twice, I've been personally affected. I was fortunate enough to be able to travel, but some of my colleagues missed votes over the years because they could not. I am glad to see that this bill will go to the House floor for a full vote, and I look forward to its passage."
What Happens Next
The House is set to reconvene Monday, March 24. Per Bloomberg reporting, the discharge petition will remain on the calendar for seven legislative days before it can be brought to the floor, and then Johnson has a window of two legislative days to set a date for the vote.
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