Bipartisan Group of Lawmakers Push for Proxy Voting in Congress for New Parents
Introduction to the Issue
When it was time to vote on the House Republicans’ budget package last month, Rep. Brittany Pettersen had her arms full. Quite literally.
Pettersen, a Colorado Democrat, had just given birth four weeks earlier. She wasn’t allowed to vote by proxy — a process that allows a colleague to cast a vote in a member’s stead, something that was utilized during the COVID-19 pandemic — so instead, she packed up newborn Sam, hopped on a flight and made it to Washington, D.C., to vote. With her baby.
The Proposal for Change
“Unfortunately, I wasn’t given the opportunity to vote remotely after giving birth, but I wasn’t going to let that stop me from being here to represent my constituents,” Pettersen, 43, said from the House floor in February, while cradling her son.
Pettersen is leading a bipartisan charge in Congress to allow proxy voting for new parents. The idea is to ensure members won’t have to choose between representing their constituents and taking care of their newborns, making Congress more accessible and representative of Americans, the lawmakers have said.
Details of the Proposal
If successful, new mothers and fathers would be allowed to vote by proxy for up to 12 weeks (except in cases establishing a quorum) and allow pregnant members to vote by proxy if there’s a pregnancy-related medical issue that would prevent travel. Pre-birth proxy voting would count against the 12 weeks of parental leave, according to a news release.
Bipartisan Support
The resolution is spearheaded by Pettersen and Reps. Sara Jacobs, D-San Diego; Mike Lawler, R-New York; and Anna Paulina Luna, R-Florida.
“The 119th Congress is the third oldest Congress since 1789 — and our internal House rules are partially to blame for that,” said Jacobs. “The House has largely failed to modernize and make changes to be more inclusive, accessible and welcoming to young people, including new parents and soon-to-be parents.”
Personal Stories and Motivations
Jacobs, 36, said she delayed starting a family and froze her eggs when she first joined Congress in 2021, partly because of the demands of the job, which include traveling back and forth across the country.
“This is a small but important step forward to make our government more representative of our country and ultimately pass policies that help families make ends meet and thrive,” she said.
Challenges and Opposition
But like most things politics these days, the effort — despite the bipartisan support — is facing some hurdles.
House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-Louisiana, has said he believes voting by proxy is “unconstitutional” and “violates more than two centuries of tradition.” He said opening up proxy voting for new parents could then lead to other lawmakers wanting to vote that way if they’re taking care of an ill spouse or eventually, all lawmakers being out of the building “voting by AI or something.”
Conclusion
The push for proxy voting in Congress for new parents highlights the need for modernizing the institution to make it more inclusive and representative. Despite the challenges, the bipartisan effort led by Rep. Pettersen and others signifies a step towards creating a more family-friendly and accessible legislative body.
FAQs
- Q: What is the proposal about?
A: The proposal is about allowing new parents in Congress to vote by proxy for up to 12 weeks. - Q: Who is leading the charge?
A: The resolution is spearheaded by Rep. Brittany Pettersen and Reps. Sara Jacobs, Mike Lawler, and Anna Paulina Luna. - Q: What are the potential benefits?
A: The benefits include making Congress more accessible and representative of Americans, especially young families. - Q: What opposition is the proposal facing?
A: The proposal is facing opposition from House Speaker Mike Johnson, who believes voting by proxy is unconstitutional. - Q: What is the current status of the proposal?
A: The proposal has bipartisan support but is facing hurdles, including potential threats to members who back it.
