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Push for Proxy Voting for New Parents Gains Momentum in the House

Reps. Luna and Pettersen lead bipartisan effort to allow 12 weeks of proxy voting for lawmakers after childbirth, challenging opposition from House leadership.

Rep. Anna Paulina Luna is seen with her son in the House chamber of Capitol on January 3, 2025.
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Overview

  • Reps. Anna Paulina Luna (R-Fla.) and Brittany Pettersen (D-Colo.) are spearheading a resolution to permit new parents in Congress to vote by proxy for up to 12 weeks after childbirth.
  • The measure has garnered bipartisan support, with over 180 signatures on a discharge petition as of Tuesday, needing 218 to force a vote on the House floor.
  • House Speaker Mike Johnson opposes the proposal, citing constitutional concerns, reflecting broader Republican skepticism about proxy voting practices.
  • The resolution aims to address challenges faced by lawmakers balancing parental responsibilities and legislative duties, with Luna and Pettersen drawing from personal experiences as new mothers.
  • Proxy voting was previously allowed during the COVID-19 pandemic but was discontinued by Republican leadership in 2022, citing concerns about potential misuse.