A group of House Republicans broke ranks with party leadership on Tuesday, dealing an embarrassing blow to Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.).
The rebellion came in response to Johnson’s effort to block a vote on allowing proxy voting for new parents—a bipartisan proposal designed to give lawmakers up to 12 weeks to vote remotely after the birth or adoption of a child.
Rather than fall in line, several Republicans sided with Democrats, effectively stopping Johnson’s maneuver and throwing a wrench into other GOP priorities scheduled for the day.
The move highlights growing fractures within the party, particularly as younger members push for more family-friendly reforms in an institution slow to change.
Johnson has actively opposed a bipartisan proposal that would allow new parents in Congress to vote by proxy for up to 12 weeks after the birth of a child. This initiative, introduced by Representatives Anna Paulina Luna (R-Fla.) and Brittany Pettersen (D-Colo.), aims to modernize congressional procedures to, in their view, better accommodate family responsibilities
The Hill has additional details:
The revolt escalates the battle over proxy voting into a full-blown legislative war as Republicans grapple with arguments over constitutionality, supporting families, and how much power GOP leaders have over the House floor in the historically slim majority.
Nine Republicans — led by Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-Fla.) — joined with all Democrats in voting against the procedural rule, enough opposition for it to fall short in a 206-222 vote. The failed vote allows Luna to force action on her bill, but prevents the chamber from debating and voting on two unrelated measures, bringing key legislative business to a standstill.
Those measures would limit the power of federal judges and require proof of citizenship to vote.
Luna earlier on Tuesday made a privileged motion — enabled by her discharge petition — to bring a vote on the proxy voting for new parents matter. Without being able to thwart it, leadership will have to take action on the matter within two legislative days.
The vote is a major victory for Luna, who after facing resistance from GOP leadership and members of the House Freedom Caucus, resigned from the caucus Monday night, citing a breakdown in mutual respect and core values.
