Luna secures enough signatures to force vote on parental proxy voting, despite leadership objections

Florida GOP Rep. Anna Paulina Luna on Tuesday secured enough signatures to force a House floor vote on allowing proxy voting for new parents, despite objections from the chamber's Republican leadership.

Luna filed the discharge petition last week, in conjunction with Democratic Colorado Rep. Brittany Pettersen, who took her one-month old son with her on the floor of the lower chamber last month to vote on key legislation.

The Republican lawmaker said that she crossed the necessary threshold to force the vote, after she secured 218 Congressional signatures. Luna said she expects the vote will be held when the House returns from recess.

“Never bet against a Luna,” the Florida congresswoman told The Hill.

The legislation allows members of Congress to appoint a proxy to vote in their place for up to 12 weeks if they give birth, if their spouse gives birth, or if pregnant members are unable to travel safely for medical reasons.

Republican leaders have argued that proxy voting is unconstitutional, with House Speaker Mike Johnson stating that it does not "fit with the language of the Constitution." But Luna rejected the argument, stating that the GOP is the pro-life party.

“It’s not unconstitutional. It’s within the left and right limits. We removed the quorum,” Luna said. “Were also at a two-person majority, so what happens when [Texas Rep.] Brandon Gill has his child? Is he not supposed to be at the birth of his child? We’re supposed to be the pro-life party, so I’m just reminding everyone of that.”

GOP Reps. Tim Burchett, Dan Crenshaw, Byron Donalds, Jeff Van Drew, Andy Ogles, Dan Meuser, Wesley Hunt, Rich McCormick, Dave Joyce, Michael Rulli and Mike Lawler, have all signed the petition.

Misty Severi is a news reporter for Just The News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.