In a significant turn of events on Tuesday, House Speaker Mike Johnson faced a notable defeat following an intense campaign to block a proposal allowing new parents in Congress to vote by proxy while tending to newborns. This proposal was championed by two recently minted mothers, Rep. Anna Paulina Luna of Florida, a Republican, and Rep. Brittany Pettersen of Colorado, a Democrat. Their initiative sought to modernize congressional voting procedures to suit the needs of new parents.
In an unexpected shift, nine Republicans joined forces with Democrats, voting 206-222 against Johnson’s determination to thwart the bipartisan measure. This marked a rare and high-profile setback for the Speaker, who had seldom wielded his leadership position so assertively to block the progression of this initiative.
After the surprising outcome, an evidently disheartened Johnson chose to cancel the week’s remaining session, instructing legislators to return home, saying, “We’ll regroup.” The result was a significant triumph for Luna, Pettersen, and their supporters who refused to abandon their pursuit of proxy voting. They were buoyed by the support of 218 lawmakers who aligned with their efforts via a discharge petition, inherently forcing the proposal onto the House floor for further deliberation.
Luna, who welcomed her son in 2023, underscored the urgency of the matter, stating, “If we don’t do the right thing now, it’ll never be done.” Pettersen, with her 4-month-old son Sam in her arms, implored her colleagues on the House floor not to allow GOP leadership to stymie their resolution, expressing disbelief that Congress had not yet modernized to accommodate modern family needs.
Despite his opposition to the proposal, Johnson, alongside preceding Republican leaders, voiced concerns regarding proxy voting—a system implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic—and its potential to undermine centuries-old congressional traditions. Johnson argued, “I believe it violates more than two centuries of tradition and institution. And I think that it opens a Pandora’s box, where ultimately, maybe no one is here.” The heated debate raised questions about future steps, marking the first attempt in current House history to halt a discharge petition at such an advanced stage.
Increasingly frustrated, Luna opted for the discharge process as regular congressional committees and leadership hesitated to advance the legislation, thereby gathering the necessary signatures to ensure the proposal would move forward. During a committee meeting, a provision was embedded in routine rules to obstruct not only this discharge petition but any future ones related to proxy voting.
Democrat Rep. Jim McGovern from Massachusetts criticized the Republicans’ stance, highlighting their inconsistency with family values often touted in campaigns. On the other hand, Republicans claimed Luna bypassed procedural norms in pushing forward swiftly, voicing disapproval of temporary proxy voting policies seen during the pandemic as exploited by members.
Rep. Ralph Norman of South Carolina and Rep. Virginia Foxx of North Carolina emphasized the necessity of physical presence in Congress, discouraging a “laptop class” culture. Foxx articulated this sentiment firmly, urging Congress members to meet their duties physically.
Historically, about a dozen congresswomen have given birth while serving in office, with a growing number of new fathers participating in the discourse. Among them, Rep. Wesley Hunt from Texas returned urgently to legislative duties after his child’s birth, illustrating the challenges new parents face.
Luna’s petition could pave the way for new legislation allowing proxy voting for new parents, enabling them to designate a colleague to vote on their behalf for up to 12 weeks. This effort signifies a potential shift in the operational rules managed by the House since their assumption of control from Democrats.
The proposed resolution specifically accommodates lawmakers who have recently given birth or have pregnant spouses. It aims to broaden parental participation in congressional activities without compromising their familial responsibilities.
Significantly, Luna, previously noted for her strong allegiance to former President Trump, recently departed from the conservative House Freedom Caucus citing a divergence from its core values due to undisclosed internal dealings, thus illustrating the complex dynamics within party coalitions.