Rep. Anna Paulina Luna defeats GOP effort to block proxy voting for new moms and dads in blow to Speaker Johnson

Nine House Republicans joined all 213 Democrats Tuesday to keep alive a bill that would allow lawmakers who are new parents to cast proxy votes for three months after their child’s birth.The GOP revolt, spearheaded by Rep.Anna Paulina Luna (R-Fla.), was a blow to House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.), who swiftly moved to cancel scheduled votes for the remainder of the week.Last month, Luna (R-Fla.) secured the required 218 signatures to a parliamentary tool known as a discharge petition, forcing a vote on her bill to allow proxy voting for new moms, pregnant women who are unable to travel safely or have a serious medical condition, and lawmakers whose spouses are pregnant or giving birth.A bid to quash the petition and prohibit further proxy voting proposals — tucked into an otherwise routine rules package — failed 222-206 Tuesday, giving the House two legislative days to consider Luna’s measure with a final vote expected next week.“Never bet against a Luna,” the Florida lawmaker, who gave birth to her first child in August 2023, cheered after the vote.Tuesday’s vote came one day after Luna left the hard-right House Freedom Caucus, saying they had “blackmailed” Johnson into trying to kill her petition.Democrats rallied around Luna’s measure, with Rep.

Brittany Pettersen (D-Colo.) addressing the House with her crying two-month-old, Samuel, in her arms.“When I was pregnant, I couldn’t fly towards the end of my due date because it was unsafe for Sam and you’re unable to board a plane,” Pettersen said.“And I was unable to have my vote represented here and my constituents’ vote represented.“It is unfathomable that in 2025, we have not modernized Congress.”“Given the chance to actually support families, they turn their backs,” added Rep.

Jim McGovern (D-Mass.), directing his comments to Republicans.“A majority of the chamber is upending what the majority in this chamber wants.”Luna’s bill would allow House members to designat...