House GOP Fails to Block Remote Voting for New Parents

House Speaker Mike Johnson faced a significant setback as nine Republican lawmakers joined Democrats to defeat a procedural vote aimed at blocking a bipartisan proposal that would allow new parents in Congress to vote by proxy. The initiative, championed by Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-Fla.) and Rep. Brittany Pettersen (D-Colo.), has garnered support from over 218 lawmakers, prompting a discharge petition to force it onto the House floor. Johnson, who opposes proxy voting on constitutional grounds, attempted to quietly nullify the proposal but ultimately failed amid accusations of being anti-family from within his party. Luna emphasized the necessity of modernizing Congress to accommodate new parents, while Pettersen, holding her infant son, pleaded for support, highlighting the challenges faced by lawmakers with newborns. The Republican leadership's efforts to stifle the vote have sparked internal dissent, with many GOP members advocating for a more family-friendly approach in the House. The outcome represents a shift in dynamics as younger members push for changes that reflect contemporary family needs.