On Tuesday, a group of around twelve Republican representatives joined forces with Democrats to override House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) and initiate a vote enabling House members to
vote by proxy
up to three months following the birth of their child.
Why it matters:
The Republican departures occurred even though Johnson, who played a key role in leading
a GOP lawsuit
targeting the removal of COVID-era proxy voting, referring to the suggested rule modification as “unconstitutional.”
- The House Republican leaders have typically advised their members against joining discharge petitions; however, for the third occasion within a year, representatives have chosen to disregard his guidance.
- “We emerged victorious through legitimate means,” asserted Representative Anna Paulina Luna (R-Fla.), who leads the rebellion against proxy voting among Republicans.
State of play:
On Monday, Luna submitted what is referred to as a
discharge petition
, which triggers a vote on the legislation once it gathers 218 signatures.
- Her legislation with Rep. Brittany Peterson (D-Colo.), who welcomed her child in late January and has consequently missed most roll calls, proposes providing up to 12 weeks of proxy voting rights for new parents regardless of gender.
- By Tuesday night, the discharge petition reached 218 signatures—comprising 206 Democrats and 12 Republicans.
- The petition garnered signatures from both centrist Republicans and far-right conservatives such as Representatives Tim Burchett (R-Tenn.), Byron Donalds (R-Fla.), and Andy Ogles (R-Tenn.).
What they’re saying:
Luna informed journalists that the new rule ensures votes cast via proxy do not contribute to establishing a quorum — addressing Johnson’s worries regarding its constitutional validity.
- “I believe he backs families, yet… this aligns with the constitution. Both of us understand that; I am correct, whereas he isn’t,” she stated.
- Pettersen commented about Johnson saying, “I get where he’s coming from, but recall that discharge petitions are designed precisely for situations where there is significant backing, enabling a vote to bypass leaders. We’re employing them just as they were intended.”
- A representative from Johnson did not promptly reply to requests for comments.
Between the lines:
This instrument is frequently employed by regular members to compel voting on legislation that the leadership has neglected — or by the opposition party to push for voting on proposals that the majority leadership disagrees with.
-
In the remaining two instances this year, legislators managed to push through votes on legislation aimed at providing
financial assistance for those affected by natural disasters
and
expand Social Security benefits
— both of which had slipped through the legislative gaps. - In this instance, it stood out as a uncommon demonstration of collaboration between parties aiming to swiftly push forward a proposal that was decidedly against the wishes of the Republican Party’s leaders.
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