Trump Rebukes Johnson Over Proxy Voting Position

Group of people giving a press conference outside.

President Trump breaks with House Speaker Mike Johnson over a proposal allowing congressional proxy voting for lawmakers with newborns, setting up an unusual public disagreement between the Republican leaders.

Quick Takes

Trump supports allowing new parents in Congress to vote remotely for up to 12 weeks after childbirth
Speaker Mike Johnson opposes the measure, citing constitutional concerns and past abuses
The bipartisan proposal has majority support with 218 House lawmakers backing it
Nine Republicans joined Democrats to reject Johnson’s attempt to block the measure
The disagreement has stalled legislative business in the House

Trump Endorses Remote Voting for New Parents

President Donald Trump has publicly endorsed a bipartisan proposal allowing congressional proxy voting for lawmakers with newborns, creating an unusual rift with House Speaker Mike Johnson. The measure would permit representatives to vote remotely for up to 12 weeks after childbirth. Despite Johnson’s opposition, Trump expressed bewilderment at the controversy surrounding what he views as a common-sense accommodation. Currently, congressional lawmakers have no parental leave from voting, forcing new parents to choose between their legislative duties and newborn care.

“I don’t know why it’s controversial. You’re having a baby, I think you should be able to call in and vote. I’m in favor of that,” Trump stated, directly challenging Johnson’s stance on the issue. While Trump emphasized he would ultimately let the Speaker make the decision, his clear support for the measure underscores his view that congressional procedures should modernize to accommodate new parents. The proposal has gained significant momentum in the House, with the required 218 lawmakers now backing it.

Woah.

Given how hard Johnson has pushed to not allow proxy voting, Trump splitting with Johnson is notable. https://t.co/CSt4Nzl9fp

— Emily Wilkins (@emrwilkins) April 3, 2025

Johnson’s Opposition and Failed Blockade

Speaker Johnson has firmly positioned himself against the proxy voting proposal, citing constitutional concerns and pointing to abuses that occurred when similar measures were implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic. “It was quickly abused. Republicans put an end to it then, and we cannot allow it again,” Johnson stated. His attempts to block the measure, however, faced defeat when nine Republicans joined Democrats to reject his plan, highlighting growing bipartisan support for the accommodation.

“Republicans are actively working on every possible accommodation to make Congressional service simpler for young mothers,” said Mike Johnson.

The clash has resulted in a legislative stalemate, with House votes canceled for the remainder of the week. Despite this pause, supporters of the proxy voting plan remain committed to advancing it. Johnson has suggested that alternative accommodations for new mothers in Congress could be explored, but has not detailed what these might entail or how they would function without the proxy voting mechanism championed by Trump and the bipartisan coalition.

Representative Luna Leads Bipartisan Initiative

Representative Anna Paulina Luna, a Republican from Florida, has spearheaded the push for proxy voting since giving birth last year. Partnering with Democratic Representative Brittany Peterson, Luna initiated a discharge petition requiring 218 House members’ signatures to advance the measure despite leadership opposition. Luna has also indicated flexibility in negotiations, suggesting a possible compromise that would limit proxy voting to new mothers with specific health concerns that prevent travel.

“You’re having a baby, you should be able to call in and vote,” Trump told reporters.

Luna has criticized Republican leadership for political maneuvering on the issue, urging them to stop playing games with President Trump’s agenda. The dispute highlights evolving expectations about work-life balance even in the highest levels of government, with proponents arguing that modernizing congressional procedures is essential to ensure that parenthood doesn’t create unnecessary barriers to serving in elected office. The outcome of this disagreement could establish important precedents for how Congress accommodates the personal needs of its members while fulfilling constitutional obligations.