Republican Rep. Anna Paulina Luna is leading a push to allow new parents to vote remotely for up to 12 weeks after giving birth. Luna initially sought support from Speaker Mike Johnson, who declined, prompting her to collaborate with House Democrats, including Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, on the measure.
The proposal aims to provide flexibility to new parents, acknowledging the challenges of being physically present for every vote in a closely divided House. Luna's efforts reflect a desire among younger members of Congress to modernize the institution.
Speaker Johnson argued that proxy voting, even for new mothers, is unconstitutional, a stance Luna dismissed as a 'cop-out response.' Proxy voting has been a contentious issue in Congress, with Republicans opposing the practice.
Luna and her colleagues, both Republicans and Democrats, worked to revise the language of the proposal to address constitutional concerns. The updated measure would allow both mothers and fathers to vote remotely for 12 weeks.
While some Republicans acknowledge the need for flexibility given the House's slim majority, others, like Rep. Chip Roy, remain staunchly opposed to proxy voting, citing constitutional and personal reasons.
Rep. Brittany Pettersen, a Democrat due to give birth soon, faces challenges in traveling to Washington for votes. She supports remote voting for new parents, emphasizing the importance of adapting Congress to accommodate the diverse needs of its members.
The push for proxy voting highlights the evolving dynamics in Congress, with Luna and her allies aiming to garner bipartisan support for their proposal. They plan to file a discharge petition in mid-March to advance the measure, confident in its potential success.
