Breakthrough Agreement: House Republicans Tackle Proxy Voting for New Parents

A possible solution has emerged regarding the debate on proxy voting for new parents in the U.S. House. Florida Republican Rep. Anna Paulina Luna has been at the forefront of this bipartisan effort. Over the weekend, Luna announced a deal with House Speaker Mike Johnson. This agreement aims to clear a way forward after days of stalled legislative work that threatened key votes this week related to President Trump’s agenda.

Instead of outright proxy voting, the agreement creates a “pairing” system. This allows one member physically present in the House to offset the vote of a member who cannot attend. The plan could cover various Republicans unable to vote due to family or health issues, including new parents and those grieving a loss.

"To truly support families in Congress, we need to make these changes," Luna noted. However, further specifics about the arrangement are still pending. It remains uncertain if all lawmakers who supported proxy voting will endorse this new approach.

This compromise could end the impasse that has stalled legislative progress. Last week, some Republicans broke ranks with Johnson’s opposition to the proxy voting proposal, reflecting growing support for the measure.

Getting this agreement in place could pave the way for essential legislative priorities, particularly a revised budget that would facilitate substantial tax cuts proposed by Trump. The Senate has already approved this budget framework.

Trump has expressed support for allowing new parents to vote by proxy. “I don’t see why this is controversial,” he remarked. Luna, who experienced motherhood while serving her term, has been advocating for proxy voting alongside Massachusetts Rep. Brittany Pettersen, who also has a young child. They have garnered overwhelming backing, with 218 members of the House—many of whom are young parents—signing a petition for a vote on the issue.

Pettersen highlighted the need for Congress to adapt to modern realities. Historically, only about a dozen women have given birth while serving in Congress, which underlines the outdated nature of current policies. “It’s hard to believe that in 2025, Congress still hasn’t modernized,” she said.

However, Johnson remains skeptical of proxy voting. He argues that it was misused during its temporary implementation amid the COVID-19 pandemic. “We can’t allow it again,” he insisted.

As the debate unfolds, it’s clear this issue resonates with many lawmakers who seek family-friendly policies in Congress. The outcome may set a new precedent in the way Congress approaches parental leave and voting rights for its members.

For more details about legislative changes and policies affecting families, visit Congress.gov.

Source link

Mike Johnson, Donald Trump, Anna Paulina Luna, United States House of Representatives, General news, Congress, FL State Wire, CO State Wire, U.S. Republican Party, Brittany Pettersen, Washington news, Government and politics, Voting, Government budgets, Politics