Lawmakers from different political parties driving an effort to modernize Parental Voting Rights within Congress
Congress Babies: The Collaborative Fight for Modern Parental Rights
In the heart of Washington, two unlikely allies - Brittany Pettersen (D-CO) and Anna Paulina Luna (R-FL) - have joined forces to bring a much-needed revolution to the House of Representatives. They're battling for the right to vote by proxy, a reform that could transform Congress into a more family-friendly institution.
Pettersen, a audacious Colorado Democrat, found herself in limbo when the 119th Congress began. With her son, Sam, on the way, she yearned to give birth within the comfort of her district, surrounded by her family. Although she returned to the Capitol a few days after the inauguration, her due date was fast approaching. Medical professionals warned against flying, and airlines blocked her from boarding. This sent Pettersen into a brief hiatus, causing her to miss 41 House votes.
Fast forward to a critical budget vote on February 25, Pettersen graced the House floor, baby Sam securely cradled in her arms, ready to cast her vote. However, she believes that misses like these could have been avoided if a proxy vote had been an option.
Teaming up with Luna, the progressive duo set their sights on changing House rules to grant new parents, regardless of gender, the ability to vote by proxy for up to 12 weeks following the birth of a child. Luna emphasizes that lawmakers should not have to choose between recovery and bonding with their newborn and their legislative duties.
However, House Republican leaders argue that this change could potentially be unconstitutional and a slippery slope towards more members casting votes remotely. They maintain this position despite Luna's repeated attempts to secure proxy voting, dating back to the last Congress when she gave birth to her son Henry.
The debate transcends a mere disagreement on constitutional grounds, as it touches on broader issues such as gender equality and family-friendly policies. If successful, America would follow in the footsteps of other democracies, like the UK, which allow proxy voting for up to seven months for new parents.
On March 11, Pettersen and Luna, along with co-sponsors Reps. Mike Lawler (R-NY) and Sara Jacobs (D-CA), gathered enough signatures on a discharge petition - a maneuver intended to circumvent House GOP leaders' opposition and force a vote on the issue. Eleven House Republicans bucked their leadership to sign it.
With discharge petitions, the measure could come to a House floor vote within two weeks. If this happens, the two women are confident they have the bipartisan support required to change House rules and create a more family-friendly legislative environment.
Despite their differences on policy and politics, these Silicon Valley-educated women have discovered common ground in their efforts to serve their constituents while juggling new parenthood. Their unlikely partnership underscores the potential for bipartisanship and change in the notoriously old-school institution that is Congress.
But, this is only the beginning of their battle. Whether it's a traditionalist resistance or constitutional concerns, Pettersen and Luna are prepared to challenge the status quo and bring long-overdue change to Congress.
In the midst of their fight for modern parental rights, Representatives Brittany Pettersen and Anna Paulina Luna aim to allow proxy voting for up to 12 weeks after childbirth, coinciding with the time many new parents need for recovery and bonding. Despite concerns raised by House Republican leaders about potential unconstitutional implications, the representatives have gathered enough signatures for a discharge petition and received support from both Democrats and Republicans. If successful in changing House rules, this reform could make Congress a more family-friendly institution, emulating the UK's previous allowance of proxy voting for up to seven months for new parents.
