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• Two new mothers in Congress, Rep. Anna Paulina Luna and Rep. Brittany Pettersen, have successfully pushed for a vote on proxy voting for new parents.
• House Speaker Mike Johnson’s attempt to block the measure failed, with nine Republicans joining Democrats to support the proposal.
• The resolution aims to allow new parents in Congress to vote by proxy for up to 12 weeks after giving birth or in cases of serious medical conditions.

Quick Brief

2-Minute Digest

Essential Context

In a significant move, two new mothers in Congress, Republican Rep. Anna Paulina Luna of Florida and Democratic Rep. Brittany Pettersen of Colorado, have led a bipartisan effort to allow proxy voting for new parents. This initiative has been met with resistance from House Speaker Mike Johnson and other Republican leaders, but ultimately gained enough support to move forward.

Core Players

• Rep. Anna Paulina Luna – Republican from Florida, co-sponsor of the proxy voting resolution
• Rep. Brittany Pettersen – Democrat from Colorado, co-sponsor of the proxy voting resolution
• House Speaker Mike Johnson – Opposed the proxy voting measure, arguing it is unconstitutional
• House Republican Leadership – Attempted to block the resolution through procedural maneuvers

Key Numbers

• 218 – Number of signatures needed and obtained for the discharge petition to force a vote
• 9 – Number of Republicans who joined Democrats to support the measure
• 12 weeks – Duration for which new parents can designate a proxy to vote on their behalf
• 206-222 – Vote tally that rejected the rule aimed at blocking the proxy voting resolution

Full Depth

Complete Coverage

The Catalyst

The push for proxy voting was triggered by the personal experiences of Rep. Anna Paulina Luna and Rep. Brittany Pettersen, who both gave birth while serving in Congress. Luna, who had a child in 2023, and Pettersen, who became the 13th lawmaker to give birth while in office, sought to change the rules to support new parents.

“If we don’t do the right thing now, it’ll never be done,” Luna emphasized, highlighting the urgency of the issue.

Inside Forces

House Republican leaders, including Speaker Mike Johnson, have been staunchly opposed to proxy voting, arguing it is unconstitutional and undermines the traditional functioning of Congress. Despite this, nine Republicans broke ranks to support the measure, reflecting internal divisions within the party.

Luna’s resignation from the House Freedom Caucus earlier this week was a significant move, as she cited the caucus’s backroom deals and misrepresentation as reasons for her departure.

Power Dynamics

The success of the discharge petition, which required 218 signatures, demonstrates the power of bipartisan cooperation and the willingness of some Republicans to defy their leadership. President Trump’s failure to block the measure highlights the limits of his influence in this instance.

“Speaker Johnson pulled out all the stops and people continued to stand with us,” Pettersen said, underscoring the determination of the supporters.

Outside Impact

The broader implications of this move include a potential shift in how Congress supports working parents. The resolution, if passed, would set a precedent for accommodating the needs of new parents, aligning with broader societal trends towards greater family support.

Critics, however, argue that proxy voting could lead to a slippery slope where more members vote remotely, potentially undermining the deliberative nature of Congress.

Future Forces

Despite the current victory, House leaders have indicated they will continue to try to block proxy voting through future rules. The ongoing battle suggests that this issue will remain contentious in the coming weeks.

“We’re changing the way that Congress works, making sure that moms and parents have a voice,” Pettersen said, looking forward to the potential long-term impact.

Data Points

• 2023: Luna gave birth while serving in Congress, prompting her to advocate for rule changes.
• 2025: Pettersen became the 13th lawmaker to give birth while in office.
• April 1, 2025: The House voted 206-222 against the rule aimed at blocking the proxy voting resolution.
• Next Week: House leaders plan to introduce another rule to block proxy voting.