Rep. Luna Calls Out Speaker Johnson

Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-Fla.) recently took to social media to criticize Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) for opposing her proposal that would allow congresswomen to vote by proxy after giving birth. Luna, who has been advocating for this change for months, expressed her frustration after learning that the Speaker would not support her bipartisan effort. In a thread on X (formerly Twitter), she called Johnson’s stance “anti-family,” stating that it undermines both family values and the trust of voters who expect their representatives to be present and engaged in Washington.

Luna, who faced significant health complications following the birth of her son last year, initially proposed a resolution that would amend House rules to allow mothers to vote by proxy for up to six weeks after childbirth. This would help new mothers manage the demanding balance between their duties as lawmakers and their responsibilities at home with their newborns. The resolution only applies to mothers, intentionally excluding fathers and adoptive parents to make the proposal harder to oppose by either party.

Despite her efforts, Speaker Johnson has refused to bring the proposal to the floor for a vote. In an interview, Luna told The Hill that Johnson’s decision is “not only anti-family but a slap in the face to the hundreds of thousands of voters who send members to represent them in DC.” She has since filed a discharge petition, which could force a vote if 218 members sign it, but Luna acknowledges that garnering enough support, especially from Democrats, will be a challenge.

Republicans have voiced concerns about the potential unintended consequences of expanding proxy voting, citing constitutional issues and the slippery slope it could create. Proxy voting, which was implemented temporarily during the COVID-19 pandemic, was controversial due to concerns about its misuse for political gain, such as voting while attending political events. It was eventually ended when Republicans regained the House majority.

Luna’s proposal has gained traction among some women in Congress and younger male members, many of whom feel the pressures of balancing family life and public service. Luna emphasizes that without changes to accommodate modern family needs, Congress will fail to reflect the true values of American families, leaving future generations without proper representation.