Representative Anna Paulina Luna, a member of the GOP, has recently made headlines by leaving the House Freedom Caucus due to its resistance to her initiative advocating for remote voting for new parents. This decision has sparked significant controversy within the party, as Luna accused some members of the caucus of holding Speaker Mike Johnson “hostage” regarding this critical issue. During an interview with CNN’s Manu Raju, Luna expressed her frustration, stating, “The speaker is being held hostage.”
Luna highlighted that a “small group” within the Freedom Caucus threatened to disrupt the House floor, regardless of the agenda being presented. She emphasized that this behavior is unacceptable, asserting, “You had members — a small group of the Freedom Caucus, not all of them but a small group — that threatened to shut down the House floor regardless of what agenda was being placed, whether it was the president’s or not and that’s not right.”
In collaboration with Democratic Representative Brittany Pettersen, Luna is attempting to amend the House rules to permit new parents—both mothers and fathers—to vote by proxy for up to 12 weeks following the birth of a child. This proposal has created a significant divide among House Republicans. Republican leaders argue that the initiative is unconstitutional and could set a precarious precedent for future voting practices.
To push her agenda forward, Luna has resorted to a lesser-known procedural tactic known as a discharge petition. This method allows rank-and-file lawmakers to compel a vote on specific measures if they can gather the support of 217 members. The urgency of the situation is palpable, as the House may vote as early as Tuesday on language designed to effectively block Luna's discharge petition.
Interestingly, some GOP lawmakers have privately expressed their opposition to voting against support for new parents in Congress. However, it remains uncertain whether party leaders possess enough votes to dismiss Luna's initiative. If they choose inaction, Luna's discharge petition could lead to a vote on the House floor within days, with a strong chance of passing.
When asked about the possibility of expanding her efforts should Speaker Johnson succeed in blocking her proposal, Luna stated, “Well, if he does, I’m not going to hold him hostage, but it doesn’t mean I’m not going to try for something more. I might expand it.” This indicates her determination to continue advocating for parental rights in Congress.
Representative Pettersen, who is working alongside Luna on the proxy voting initiative, expressed uncertainty regarding their chances of success on Tuesday. She noted, “It’s going to be tough, but I think that we’ll have the votes. They’re trying to pull out all the stops to kill this and it doesn’t make any sense.” Pettersen emphasized the importance of this issue, particularly in light of recent announcements from colleagues about impending pregnancies, stating, “They should care about making sure that she can vote as well. It’s frustrating, it’s disappointing, and I think ultimately, we’re going to win.”
The contentious nature of the proxy voting issue underscores a broader debate within the House, especially among members of the Freedom Caucus. While many Republicans, including Speaker Johnson, previously voted by proxy during the COVID-19 pandemic, there remains a strong sentiment against it. Johnson articulated his stance, declaring, “Look, I’m a father. I’m pro-family… The proxy voting, in my view, is unconstitutional,” further warning against potential “slippery slopes” that could arise from such practices.
This ongoing struggle over remote voting for new parents reflects deeper ideological divides within the GOP and raises crucial questions about the rights of legislators balancing family responsibilities with their duties in Congress.
