Trump Breaks with Johnson on Proxy Voting Policy

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President Trump has broken with Speaker Mike Johnson over a controversial proxy voting measure for new parents in Congress, raising questions about internal party dynamics only months into his second term.

Key Takeaways

President Trump supports a bipartisan resolution 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 during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The proposal, championed by Republican Rep. Anna Paulina Luna and Democratic Rep. Brittany Peterson, has majority support in the House with 218 lawmakers backing it.
Nine Republicans joined Democrats to reject Johnson’s attempt to block the proposal, creating a rare rift between Trump and the Speaker.
The disagreement has temporarily stalled House legislative business, with votes canceled for the remainder of the week.

Trump Endorses Parental Proxy Voting

President Trump has publicly endorsed a bipartisan resolution that would allow lawmakers who are new parents to vote remotely for up to 12 weeks after childbirth. The measure, which currently has the backing of 218 House members, has created a notable split between the President and House Speaker Mike Johnson. Trump’s support for the measure has surprised some conservatives who traditionally oppose proxy voting, but the President sees it as a commonsense accommodation for new parents in Congress.

Trump made his position clear when asked about the proposal, expressing bewilderment at the controversy surrounding it. “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, while also adding that he would ultimately “let the speaker make the decision,” though he reiterated his support for the idea.

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 Congressional Divide

Speaker Johnson has remained steadfast in his opposition to the proxy voting measure, pointing to constitutional concerns and the potential for abuse. Johnson cited previous experiences with proxy voting during the COVID-19 pandemic, which was implemented by former Speaker Nancy Pelosi. “It was quickly abused. Republicans put an end to it then, and we cannot allow it again,” Johnson argued, highlighting his concerns about the precedent such a measure might set.

“If you’re having a baby, I think you should be able to call in and vote,” said Donald Trump, showing his support for the proposal championed by Representative Luna.

Despite Johnson’s efforts to block the proposal, nine House Republicans joined Democrats to reject his plan, delivering a blow to the Speaker’s authority. Johnson has attempted to find middle ground, stating that “Republicans are actively working on every possible accommodation to make Congressional service simpler for young mothers,” though he remains opposed to proxy voting itself as the solution.

Luna’s Advocacy and Potential Compromise

Representative Anna Paulina Luna, a Florida Republican who has been advocating for proxy voting since giving birth last year, has initiated a discharge petition requiring 218 House members’ signatures to force the measure forward. The proposal is a bipartisan effort co-led by Luna and Democratic Representative Brittany Peterson. Currently, there is no parental leave from voting for congressional lawmakers, creating challenges for those with newborns.

“We discussed limiting the vote to just new moms who cannot travel because of health concerns,” said Ms. Luna, suggesting a potential compromise that might address some of Johnson’s objections.

Luna has been critical of Republican leadership for what she characterizes as political maneuvering on the issue. The dispute has led to House votes being canceled for the remainder of the week, but supporters of the proxy voting plan remain committed to advocating for it. The standoff illustrates the challenges of modernizing congressional procedures while maintaining traditional legislative norms, a tension that continues to challenge both parties in Congress.