US congresswoman casts vote holding baby after proxy voting ban

Four weeks after giving birth to her second child, Congresswoman Brittany Pettersen found herself cradling her newborn son while casting a crucial vote on the House floor. Due to congressional rules prohibiting remote voting, the Colorado Democrat had to travel across the country to oppose a multi-trillion-dollar budget deal, which ultimately passed by a narrow margin.

Pettersen, who is the 14th lawmaker to give birth while in office, expressed her frustration over the lack of flexibility for new parents in Congress. She emphasized her commitment to representing her constituents despite the challenges, stating that while she was not given the opportunity to vote remotely after giving birth, she was determined not to let that prevent her from fulfilling her duties.

Her experience has fueled a bipartisan effort to introduce more flexibility for lawmakers balancing their responsibilities with growing families. In January, Pettersen introduced legislation that would allow proxy voting for up to 12 weeks for members who have given birth, have a spouse who has given birth, or are pregnant and unable to travel safely due to medical conditions. The bill, which has garnered 137 bipartisan co-sponsors, aims to provide a practical solution for lawmakers facing significant health and family obligations.

Proxy voting, where a legislator designates another member to cast votes on their behalf, was temporarily permitted during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, when Republicans regained control of the House in 2023, then-Speaker Kevin McCarthy ended the practice, citing concerns that it was being misused. Prior to that, more than 100 Republican lawmakers, including current Speaker Mike Johnson, had filed a lawsuit challenging proxy voting as unconstitutional. Though the legal argument ultimately failed, opposition to reinstating the practice remains strong within Republican leadership.

Pettersen has found an ally in Congresswoman Anna Paulina Luna, a Florida Republican who also gave birth in 2023. Luna missed 137 votes while recovering from a difficult delivery, after doctors advised her against traveling. She has since joined the push for proxy voting, arguing that new mothers in Congress should not be forced to choose between their careers and their children. She called the current policy a “slap in the face” to constituents who expect their representatives to participate in legislative decisions.

Despite growing bipartisan support, Republican leadership has not indicated any willingness to change the rules. Speaker Mike Johnson acknowledged the difficulties faced by young female legislators but maintained that proxy voting does not align with the language of the Constitution.

Jean Sinzdak, associate director at the Center for American Women and Politics, pointed out that much of the resistance to change is cultural. She noted that many congressional leaders are older men who do not personally experience the challenges faced by young parents. Because the issue does not directly impact them, there is little urgency to revise outdated processes.

Other legislative bodies around the world have already addressed this issue. The UK Parliament allows proxy voting for members who are new parents, experiencing childbirth complications, or undergoing fertility treatment. In contrast, the European Parliament still lacks provisions for heavily pregnant members who are unable to travel to Strasbourg.

With Johnson standing firm against rule changes, Pettersen and Luna are working to bypass leadership and bring their legislation to a floor vote. The path ahead is challenging, but unless attitudes toward proxy voting shift, this may be their best opportunity to secure greater flexibility for lawmakers with young families.