What is Congressional Proxy Voting and Why is it Important Now?
BY DANIELLE STEWART
Proxy voting allows Members to designate their voting power to a colleague when personal circumstances may prevent floor presence. To make Congress more family-friendly and reflective of a modern workforce, allowing for a limited proxy voting option would ensure all Members could fully participate in the legislative process and represent their constituents despite absences due to maternity, paternity, health issues, or bereavement.
Proxy voting was used during the 116th and 117th Congress in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. But, critics argued that it undermined the principle of direct representation and was exploited for absenteeism. Former Representatives Jaime Herrera Beutler [R, WA] and Stephanie Murphy [D, FL], who were Members during both sessions of Congress during the pandemic, argue that proxy voting would support new parents and encourage younger candidates to pursue Congressional service.
On January 9, 2025, Representatives Brittany Pettersen [D, CO] and Anna Paulina Luna [R, FL], joined by Sara Jacobs [D, CA] and Mike Lawler [R, NY], introduced a House resolution allowing proxy voting for new parents for up to twelve weeks or when pregnancy-related conditions prevent travel. Speaker Mike Johnson [R, LA] opposed the measure, declaring it unconstitutional and citing his involvement in an amicus brief making that point for the pending case Texas v. DOJ. Reps. Pettersen and Luna addressed these concerns by not allowing proxies to be counted to establish a quorum on the House floor.
This week, Rep. Luna filed a discharge petition, which would allow for an immediate floor vote on H.Res. 23 if 218 Members signed their names. It just met that threshold, with 218 signatories from both sides of the aisle. Rep. Tim Burchett [R, TN] said he did not support proxy voting during COVID, but supports the discharge petition because it only allows new parents and pregnant mothers to vote by proxy. After signing the petition, Rep. Burchett posted a video on X stating that this is the “one exception” to proxy voting that he supports.
If implemented in the House, the US would not be the only democracy with this pro-family policy. Similar voting reforms have succeeded in other democracies. The Canadian House of Commons employs a hybrid voting system, first implemented during COVID-19, enabling MPs to vote remotely through a secure app ensuring that personal circumstances do not prevent them from participating in parliamentary duties. In the United Kingdom, Parliament allows proxy voting for up to seven months for new parents or in cases involving childbirth complications, miscarriage, or baby loss.
Modernizing Congressional procedures through limited proxy voting would ensure Members can represent their constituents effectively while managing life's inevitable challenges.