President Donald Trump’s win in November was so sweeping of a mandate that Republicans won control of both the House and Senate.
Control of Congress is critical to moving Trump’s vast America First agenda forward—and because of the slim majority held by Republicans in the House of Representatives, one would hope they’re working together in lockstep on behalf of the American people.
Over the past week, however, Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., was forced to delay critical votes in the House over a proposal to let members vote from home.
Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, R-Fla., led a small group of Republicans and all Democrats, to change House rules to allow proxy voting for members of Congress who are new or expecting mothers.
Fortunately, it appears this saga is now over. Johnson and Luna reportedly struck a deal Sunday that won’t trigger her discharge petition. But let this be a lesson for members of Congress, who shouldn’t be tempted to pursue proxy voting anytime soon.
The Dangerous Slippery Slope
Quite frankly, proxy voting should never be on the table for members of Congress. Their entire job is to show up to work and vote for the people they represent—which they only do on average of around 160 days a year.
The first issue anyone should have with this issue is the slippery slope it presents.
Once the bell is rung on proxy voting for motherhood, it is clear as day where the expansion of permission to vote from home leads. Pregnancy is a medical issue, and the next step for proxy voting will be any “serious medical issue.” Then it will be any medical issue with a doctor’s note (that will stretch to include emotional issues like depression or anxiety). Eventually, it will accommodate senior citizen status.
If by that point there are members still showing up to work, the next landing on the slippery slope will be major issues in a member’s district; then it will be any issues in their district—and at that point, everyone will be able to vote via text message.
The second issue, which should offend all Americans, is that just a few short weeks after Trump required all federal workers to return to office, members of Congress are advocating for themselves to work from home. If Republicans justifiably want workers who are paid by taxpayers to return to their offices, they should be expected do the same.
The third issue is that thousands of mothers—in congressional districts across this country—don’t get to work by proxy. Some mothers labor at multiple jobs to raise a family and others don’t get paid time off or maternity leave.
Those afforded the privilege of being a member of Congress already receive a generous $174,000 salary and on-site child care center, and most have a spouse able to take care of their children while in Washington.
A Lesson in Leadership
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy’s daughter, Evita Duffy-Alfonso, contrasted congressional proxy voting with her father’s actions while serving as a representative from Wisconsin:
When my baby sister was born with two holes in her heart and needed a very risky surgery, my father, @SecDuffy knew he needed be at home with his newborn daughter, my mother, and my eight siblings. So my dad resigned. What he did not do was demand an unconstitutional exception that would allow him to vote remotely. He viewed his job in Congress as a responsibility and a privilege, not an entitlement.
If you are unable to fulfill the duties required of a member of Congress because you are a parent of a small child, feel free to resign. Many have before.
My final issue with this proxy voting proposal is that members of Congress need to think about their country before themselves. At the time of the 2024 election, America was at the brink of self-destruction with the Biden administration’s wide-open southern border, illegal aliens potentially voting in our elections, failed energy and economic policies, DEI ruining equality for all—and that’s just the tip of the iceberg.
Imagine for a second you were elected and given the privilege to help lead the golden age of America with Trump—one of a few hundred entrusted to save this country. The American people expect you to be present, not vote by proxy.
Putting America First
Those who support letting new parents vote by proxy are getting caught up in the emotional aspect of it—but that’s not what this is ultimately about.
The Democrats who took full advantage of former Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s allowing proxy voting during the COVID pandemic would lick their chops at making it permanent. Republicans shouldn’t be tempted to go along with the idea—now or later.
Johnson was right to hold the line, and it’s a good thing that the House will now be able to once again move forward to enact Trump’s America First agenda.
Tim Young is The Heritage Foundation’s media fellow, where he focuses on free speech, media bias, and conservative messaging. He hosts the “Tim Runs His Mouth” podcast and is the CEO of Veebs, an app designed to inform American consumers of the political involvement of companies whose products they frequently purchase. He previously served as director of marketing and creative for multiple conservative publications as well as CPAC.
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