House Advances Proxy Voting for New Parents

The U.S. House of Representatives has made progress towards allowing members who are new parents to vote by proxy following a close vote on a bipartisan measure led by Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-Fla.) and Rep. Brittany Pettersen (D-Colo.). This advancement was enabled by a discharge petition that garnered 218 signatures, overcoming opposition from House leadership. Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) opposed the measure on constitutional grounds but was defeated when nine Republicans sided with Democrats. The initiative, permitting proxy voting for up to 12 weeks postpartum, has ignited a discussion on modernizing Congress and balancing family support with constitutional concerns. Luna's resignation from the House Freedom Caucus underscored internal Republican tensions, and the issue is set to be revisited soon with a final vote anticipated next week.