Standoff Over Remote Voting for New Parents Heats Up in Congress

Key Points

• • Rep. Anna Paulina Luna and Speaker Mike Johnson are discussing a potential compromise on remote voting for new parents in Congress.
• • Luna mentioned a possible limit to the vote, focusing on new mothers unable to travel due to health concerns.
• • The standoff over remote voting has halted House business, with Trump intervening to support Luna’s proposal.
• • Trump endorsed proxy voting for new parents, diverging from Johnson’s opposition on the issue.
• • Johnson previously rejected Luna's initial proposal for six weeks of proxy voting for new mothers after childbirth.
• • Luna's efforts gained bipartisan support, prompting her to work with Democrats when GOP leaders resisted.
• • If unresolved, Luna could push her bill to the floor using a discharge petition against GOP leadership's wishes.
• • Trump acknowledged he spoke with Luna and favored the idea of remote voting for parents.
• • Johnson argued that proxy voting is unconstitutional and detrimental to the institution of Congress.
• • The ongoing standoff is delaying House Republicans from advancing their legislative agenda before an upcoming recess.
• • Several Republicans broke ranks with Johnson to support Luna’s bipartisan resolution for proxy voting.
• • Luna emphasized her determination to fight for the proposal, citing her own experiences as a new mother.