Push for Proxy Voting Faces Resistance
A bipartisan petition to allow new parents in Congress to vote remotely caused a week-long freeze in House business. Republican Rep. Anna Paulina Luna and Democratic Rep. Brittany Pettersen led the effort, seeking proxy voting for members temporarily unable to travel after childbirth. They gained support from over half the chamber, enough to force a vote. GOP leadership, including Speaker Mike Johnson, initially opposed the move, calling it unconstitutional.
Surprise GOP Defection Shifts Momentum
In a blow to leadership, several Republicans joined Democrats to block an attempt to kill the resolution. The vote revealed growing bipartisan concern about parents’ access to Congress. Soon after, Luna and Johnson reached a compromise. Luna agreed to halt further action on the petition, while Johnson promised to explore new parental accommodations.
Deal Includes Vote Pairing, But Critics Push Back
As part of the compromise, GOP leadership will expand “vote pairing,” which offsets votes but does not formally record them. While Luna called it a step toward a “pro-family Congress,” Pettersen criticized the plan. She argued that pairing lacks practical support and fails to provide real flexibility. Democrats like Rep. Pete Aguilar also dismissed the plan as “fake and phony.”
Broader Accessibility Proposals Introduced
Johnson also proposed new family-friendly measures. These include creating nursing rooms in the Capitol, expanding daycare access, and allowing members to use official funds for travel with young children. However, these additions did not ease concerns among Democrats or some advocacy groups.
Cultural Tensions Around Public Service
The debate exposed deeper tensions in Congress about work-life balance and expectations of elected officials. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene openly attacked Luna for aligning with Democrats, calling proxy voting a misuse of public funds. Experts noted the pushback reflects a lingering belief that public servants should forgo personal needs for duty.
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The fight for new parents in Congress to vote remotely is over — for now
Photo by Dragos Gontariu on Unsplash
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