For ads-free news, click here.
The proxy voting fiasco in the U.S. House has sparked a major intraparty conflict among Republicans, centered around a bipartisan proposal led by Rep. Anna Paulina Luna to allow new parents to vote remotely for up to 12 weeks.
Luna, alongside Rep. Tim Burchett and eight other Republicans, joined forces with Democrats to tank a procedural rule, effectively derailing Speaker Mike Johnson’s effort to block the measure. This rebellion not only kept Luna’s proxy voting push alive but also halted voting on other legislative priorities tied to President Trump’s agenda, including the SAVE Act for election integrity and a bill limiting federal judges’ injunction powers. Frustrated by the outcome, Johnson canceled all House votes for the remainder of the week, sending lawmakers home to regroup.
Critics of proxy voting, including Johnson, argue it’s unconstitutional, citing the Constitution’s Quorum Clause, which implies physical presence is required for legislative duties—a stance rooted in over two centuries of tradition. Opponents warn that allowing proxy voting, even for newborn children, could open a “Pandora’s box,” leading to broader abuses where lawmakers might rarely show up in person. Johnson himself has called it a “slippery slope,” suggesting it undermines the deliberative nature of Congress, despite having used the practice during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Some Republicans, like Rep. Virginia Foxx, contend that if parenting prevents lawmakers from fulfilling their duties in person, they should resign and let someone else take the role, emphasizing that Congress isn’t a “laptop class” job. Supporters, including Luna, counter that this modernizes an outdated institution and aligns with pro-family values, especially for younger members like herself, who gave birth in 2023. The clash has exposed deep divisions within the GOP, with Luna even resigning from the Freedom Caucus, accusing colleagues of backroom deals to sabotage her effort.
We want to ask you, the reader: do you support proxy voting for Congress members? Answer in our poll below and comment your thoughts on the issue delaying voting on Trump’s agenda.
If you cannot see the poll, click here.
The Dennis Michael Lynch Podcast archive is available below. Never miss an episode. Subscribe to the show by downloading The DML News App or go to Apple Podcasts.
