Trump and Johnson Clash Over Proxy Voting Rules

Man in suit speaking at a meeting table.

President Trump and Speaker Johnson are at odds over a measure that would allow new parents in Congress to vote remotely, with the President supporting the bipartisan proposal while Johnson voices strong constitutional concerns.

Key Takeaways

President Trump has publicly endorsed a bipartisan proxy voting measure for lawmakers who are new parents, creating tension with House Speaker Mike Johnson who opposes it
The proposal would allow members of Congress to vote remotely for up to 12 weeks after childbirth
Representative Anna Paulina Luna, who recently gave birth, is leading the initiative and has secured majority support in the House
Speaker Johnson’s attempt to block the measure failed when nine Republicans joined Democrats to reject his plan
Constitutional concerns and past abuses during COVID-19 are cited by opponents, while supporters argue it’s a common-sense accommodation

Trump Backs Family-Friendly Voting Reform

President Trump has thrown his support behind a bipartisan effort to allow congressional lawmakers who are new parents to vote remotely, creating a rare public split with House Speaker Mike Johnson. The proposal, which would permit lawmakers to cast votes by phone for up to 12 weeks after childbirth, has gained significant traction in the House despite leadership opposition. Trump’s endorsement has added considerable weight to the measure, which already has the 218 votes needed for passage.

Trump expressed bewilderment at the controversy surrounding the proposal. “I don’t know why it’s controversial. You’re having a baby, I think you should be able to call in and vote. I’m in favor of that,” Trump stated while acknowledging he would let the Speaker make the final decision.

Woah.

Given how hard Johnson has pushed to not allow proxy voting, Trump splitting with Johnson is notable. https://t.co/CSt4Nzl9fp

— Emily Wilkins (@emrwilkins) April 3, 2025

Luna Leads Charge for Working Parents

Representative Anna Paulina Luna, a Republican from Florida who gave birth last year, has been the driving force behind the initiative. After facing difficulties balancing her congressional duties with new motherhood, Luna partnered with Democratic Representative Brittany Peterson to craft the bipartisan measure. When traditional legislative channels stalled, Luna initiated a discharge petition requiring 218 signatures to force a floor vote on the proposal.

“We discussed limiting the vote to just new moms who cannot travel because of health concerns,” said Ms. Luna.

Currently, Congress has no parental leave policy for voting, forcing new parents to choose between their legislative responsibilities and caring for their newborns. Luna’s proposal would change that by allowing remote voting during the critical postpartum period. The measure has gained broad support, with a majority of House members backing the resolution despite Speaker Johnson’s opposition.

Johnson’s Constitutional Concerns

Speaker Johnson has remained steadfast in his opposition to proxy voting, citing serious constitutional issues and pointing to abuses that occurred when similar measures were implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic. Johnson attempted to block the proposal through procedural maneuvers, but his efforts were thwarted when nine Republicans joined with Democrats to reject his plan, causing legislative business in the House to stall.

“It was quickly abused. Republicans put an end to it then, and we cannot allow it again,” Mike Johnson said.

In an attempt to find middle ground, Johnson has suggested alternative accommodations for young mothers in Congress that wouldn’t require proxy voting. Republicans are “actively working on every possible accommodation to make Congressional service simpler for young mothers,” Johnson stated. However, these proposals have not satisfied Luna and other supporters who see remote voting as the most practical solution.

Path Forward Uncertain

The clash between Trump and Johnson has brought Republican tensions to the surface and stalled House operations. After Johnson’s attempt to block the measure failed, House votes were canceled for the remainder of the week. Despite the setback, Luna remains committed to pressing forward with her discharge petition, which has already secured the necessary signatures for consideration.

“You’re having a baby, you should be able to call in and vote,” Mr. Trump stated.

With Trump’s endorsement providing significant political cover for Republicans who might otherwise hesitate to buck leadership, the proxy voting measure appears to have momentum. Luna has criticized Republican leadership for playing political games rather than supporting what she sees as a common-sense accommodation that aligns with the family values many conservatives champion. The resolution’s ultimate fate will test Johnson’s leadership and potentially reshape how Congress accommodates working parents.