House Speaker Johnson Blocks Parental Proxy Vote, Sparks Outrage

Washington, D.C.

A fiery clash is erupting on Capitol Hill as Speaker Mike Johnson digs in his heels to block a widely supported proposal that would allow new parents in Congress to vote by proxy. The move has ignited heated debate, pitting modern work-life balance against centuries-old traditions.

The push for parental proxy voting began when Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-FL) sought a rule change after her own childbirth experience. The proposal, backed by a bipartisan coalition including Reps. Brittany Pettersen (D-CO) and Sara Jacobs (D-CO), initially sought six weeks of proxy voting for new mothers but later expanded to include fathers with up to 12 weeks of leave.

Despite broad support, Johnson has fought the measure at every turn, calling proxy voting unconstitutional. His allies argue that Congress is meant to “come together” in person, warning that any remote voting accommodation could set a dangerous precedent. Critics, however, say Johnson is clinging to outdated norms and undermining efforts to modernize Congress for a younger, more diverse generation of lawmakers.

As the battle rages on, the question remains: Is the Speaker upholding tradition, or is he out of touch with the realities of modern parenthood?