Trump Backs Proxy Voting for New Congressional Parents

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Trump Backs Proxy Voting for New Congressional Parents \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ Donald Trump endorsed a bipartisan proposal allowing new parents in Congress to vote by proxy, supporting Florida Rep. Anna Paulina Luna’s push. His stance clashes with Speaker Mike Johnson, who opposes proxy voting, but failed to stop the measure in a House vote.

Trump Endorses Proxy Voting Quick Looks

Trump supports proxy voting for new parents in Congress
Says members with newborns should be allowed to vote remotely
Backs GOP Rep. Anna Paulina Luna’s bipartisan proposal
Speaker Mike Johnson strongly opposes proxy voting, calls it unconstitutional
218 lawmakers have signed the discharge petition for the bill
Johnson’s attempt to block it failed with bipartisan opposition
Measure allows 12 weeks of proxy voting after childbirth
Trump: “I don’t know why it’s controversial”
Proxy voting recalls pandemic-era measures under Speaker Pelosi
Johnson halted House votes after losing support on the floor

Deep Look

President Donald Trump threw his support behind a groundbreaking proposal this week that would allow new parents in Congress to vote by proxy during the early weeks of parenthood—putting him at odds with House Speaker Mike Johnson and setting up a rare public split within Republican leadership over a procedural but deeply symbolic reform.

Speaking aboard Air Force One en route to Florida, President Trump endorsed the bipartisan measure, which would grant members of Congress up to 12 weeks of proxy voting after the birth of a child. The effort is being led by Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-FL), a key Trump ally, and Rep. Brittany Pettersen (D-CO), and has drawn support from both sides of the aisle.

“You’re having a baby—I think you should be able to call in and vote,” President Trump said. “I’m in favor of that.”

The President added that he had spoken directly with Luna about the issue and praised her leadership. “I don’t know why it’s controversial,” he remarked, signaling a clear divergence from Speaker Johnson’s adamant opposition.

Bipartisan Momentum Meets Republican Resistance

The proposed rule change has already gained significant traction in the House. A discharge petition—a rarely used procedural move to bypass House leadership—has reached the necessary 218 signatures, forcing the issue onto the floor for a full vote. If passed, the measure would mark the first time in modern congressional history that new parents could vote remotely while taking time to care for their newborns.

Supporters argue that the plan is both pro-family and pro-woman, offering elected officials the same kind of parental flexibility that is becoming more common in workplaces across the country.

But Speaker Johnson, a staunch conservative and Trump loyalist in most cases, has emerged as the proposal’s leading critic. He frames proxy voting as a constitutional violation, warning that it undermines legislative accountability and sets a dangerous precedent for absentee governance.

In a strongly worded social media post, Johnson likened the effort to pandemic-era proxy voting rules introduced by former Speaker Nancy Pelosi, which he and many Republicans derided at the time as easily abused.

“It was quickly exploited. Republicans put an end to it then, and we cannot allow it again,” Johnson said, arguing that the integrity of in-person debate and voting must be preserved.

While Johnson has promised to explore “every possible accommodation” for new parents in Congress—such as flexible scheduling or leave policies—he remains firmly opposed to allowing members to cast votes without being physically present.

President Trump Breaks From the Old Guard

President Trump’s support for the proposal underscores a recurring theme in his leadership style: challenging traditional GOP orthodoxy in favor of populist, pragmatic policies that resonate with his political base. While many in his party cling to formal traditions, Trump has consistently positioned himself as a leader willing to adapt institutions to reflect the evolving needs of modern America.

Backing this family-first measure aligns with Trump’s broader message of supporting parents, especially mothers, and could help expand his appeal among suburban voters and working-class families ahead of the 2024 general election. It also cements his close alliance with Rep. Luna, who has emerged as a rising MAGA star and one of the most vocal advocates for transforming congressional norms to be more inclusive of new parents.

With more young women and parents serving in Congress than ever before, the question of how the institution supports its members through major life events is no longer theoretical. The proxy voting proposal is framed by its supporters as a necessary modernization—one that reflects the same family values Republicans often champion on the campaign trail.

Johnson’s Floor Defeat Signals Division

Earlier this week, Speaker Johnson attempted to block the measure through a House floor vote. The move backfired when nine Republican lawmakers joined all House Democrats to reject Johnson’s resolution 206–222, dealing him an unexpected blow and exposing fissures within the GOP conference. In response, Johnson canceled all remaining votes for the week, signaling internal chaos and a possible re-evaluation of his approach.

Trump’s endorsement of the proxy voting plan only adds more pressure on Johnson. While the Speaker insists on preserving institutional decorum, Trump’s support gives political cover to Republicans who might otherwise fear backlash for defying leadership.

Indeed, several conservative lawmakers have signaled openness to rethinking their positions in light of the President’s comments, noting that Trump’s influence among the base—and within the House GOP—is unmatched.

A Defining Test for the Modern GOP

The debate over proxy voting for new parents has evolved into more than a question of logistics—it is now a defining test for the modern Republican Party. Can it simultaneously uphold its constitutional values and adapt to the realities of a changing workforce and evolving gender roles?

President Trump appears to believe it can. By lending his voice to the issue, he is signaling a readiness to modernize congressional operations where it benefits families—while still maintaining a broader posture of conservatism on key cultural and political issues.

Meanwhile, Rep. Luna continues to lead the charge on Capitol Hill. “This isn’t about skipping votes. It’s about ensuring that women in Congress—and parents in general—don’t have to choose between caring for their newborn and fulfilling their duties to their constituents,” she said in a statement.

If the proposal succeeds, it would mark a historic procedural shift in Congress and a major victory for Trump’s brand of populist, pro-family conservatism. It would also further highlight Speaker Johnson’s diminishing influence and underscore President Trump’s dominant role in shaping both the policy and tone of the Republican Party in his second term.

With the discharge petition now on track to force a House vote, and Trump firmly behind the idea, the chances of this measure becoming law have never been greater.