House Blocks Johnson’s Push to Halt Proxy Voting

House Blocks Johnson’s Push to Halt Proxy Voting \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ House Speaker Mike Johnson faced a major setback Tuesday as a bipartisan group of lawmakers rejected his attempt to block a proposal allowing new parents in Congress to vote by proxy. The defeat marks a win for a bipartisan resolution led by two new mothers seeking to modernize parental support in the House.

Parental Proxy Voting Clash: Quick Looks

• House rejects Speaker Johnson’s move to block parenting proxy plan
• Bipartisan proposal would allow proxy voting for new parents
• Johnson opposed proxy voting, citing tradition and abuse concerns
• Nine Republicans joined Democrats in defeating the GOP provision
• Discharge petition reached 218 signatories to force floor vote
• Resolution led by Reps. Luna (R-FL) and Pettersen (D-CO)
• Johnson canceled the rest of the week’s legislative session
• Luna quit House Freedom Caucus over internal disagreements
• GOP leaders criticized resolution as undermining House tradition
• Vote marks rare leadership defeat over a family-centered issue

Deep Look

In a dramatic floor vote Tuesday, House Speaker Mike Johnson suffered a significant political defeat as lawmakers from both parties pushed forward a resolution to allow proxy voting for new parents in Congress—despite his high-profile effort to shut it down.

The proposal, spearheaded by Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-FL) and Rep. Brittany Pettersen (D-CO), would grant members of Congress up to 12 weeks of proxy voting following childbirth or in cases where their spouses give birth or they face serious pregnancy-related medical complications. The idea is simple: modernize congressional rules to reflect the realities of family life while ensuring lawmakers can continue to fulfill their duties during a life-altering moment.

Yet Johnson, a conservative Republican and father himself, made an aggressive push to stop the bipartisan effort. In a move that stunned some Capitol watchers, GOP leadership embedded a blockade provision into a routine rules resolution that would have prevented any discharge petition—a rarely used legislative maneuver—from moving forward if it supported proxy voting.

The effort backfired.

In a 206–222 vote, nine Republicans joined all voting Democrats to defeat the speaker’s attempt, allowing the parenting proxy plan to proceed toward a full vote. The rare rebellion by GOP lawmakers dealt a blow to Johnson’s authority and revealed growing intra-party tensions over how to balance work, tradition, and modern family needs in Congress.

Mothers Leading the Charge

Both Luna and Pettersen are new mothers, and their personal experiences shaped the urgency of the proposal. Luna gave birth to her son in 2023. Pettersen, who stood on the House floor during the vote with her 4-month-old son Sam and a diaper draped over her shoulder, issued an emotional plea to her colleagues:

“It is unfathomable that in 2025 we have not modernized Congress,” she said. “We’re asking you to continue to stand with us.”

Luna added, “If we don’t do the right thing now, it’ll never be done.”

The proposed resolution would not restore the broader proxy voting rules that existed during the pandemic. Instead, it introduces specific, narrow provisions for lawmakers who are new parents. These include requirements to formally designate a proxy, and submit clear instructions on how to vote.

A Bipartisan Movement Gains Momentum

The bill garnered support through a discharge petition, a legislative tool that allows members to bypass leadership and force a bill to the floor once 218 signatures are collected. The success of Luna’s petition stunned GOP leaders who had long rejected any return to proxy voting—viewing it as a Democratic-era pandemic workaround that was prone to abuse.

This marked the first time in modern history that House leadership tried to stop a discharge petition this far along, highlighting just how seriously Johnson took the threat to procedural norms. The proposal’s popularity also made clear that members across the aisle see a need for updating antiquated House rules.

Many of the Republicans who supported the measure were younger fathers, including Rep. Wesley Hunt (R-TX), who in 2023 rushed back to Washington to vote while his newborn son remained in the neonatal intensive care unit.

Tradition vs. Modernization

Speaker Johnson, echoing many GOP leaders, remains firmly opposed to any form of proxy voting. Though acknowledging the challenges of parenting, he warned that the policy would set a dangerous precedent:

“I’m a father, I’m pro-family,” Johnson said. “But I believe it violates more than two centuries of tradition… It opens a Pandora’s box where ultimately, maybe no one is here.”

Republicans also argued that the measure didn’t follow “regular order,” and that Luna bypassed the committee process. Critics framed the proposal as catering to a “laptop class” mindset. Rep. Virginia Foxx (R-NC), chair of the Rules Committee, said bluntly, “Members of Congress simply need to show up for work.”

Democrats, however, seized the moment to highlight perceived GOP hypocrisy on family values. Rep. Jim McGovern (D-MA) said, “Given the chance to actually support families, they turn their backs.”

Luna’s Unexpected Role and Party Rift

A particularly striking element of this battle is Luna’s role. A staunch Trump supporter and member of the House’s conservative bloc, Luna shocked political insiders this week by resigning from the House Freedom Caucus, citing internal dealmaking that she felt betrayed the group’s ideals.

Her leadership on a progressive-leaning family issue has further complicated her reputation as a conservative firebrand.

What Comes Next

With Johnson’s effort blocked, the parenting proxy resolution now has a clear path to a full vote on the House floor. If passed, it would mark a historic change to House operations, carving out the first-ever rule to formally recognize parenthood as a valid reason for proxy voting.

Whether it’s ultimately approved remains to be seen—but the political winds may be shifting. A rare bipartisan coalition, powered by real-world parental experiences, is forcing Congress to reckon with its own workplace policies.

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