Reps. Jacobs, Pettersen, Luna, Lawler Introduce Bipartisan Resolution to Allow Proxy Voting for New Parents
Today, U.S. Representatives Sara Jacobs (D-CA), Brittany Pettersen (D-CO), Anna Paulina Luna (R-FL), and Mike Lawler (R-NY) introduced a bipartisan resolution to allow proxy voting for Members of Congress who are new parents under the Rules of the House for the 119th Congress.
This resolution is a step toward making Congress more accessible to women and young parents and ensuring the legislative body reflects the life experiences of the people it serves. Proxy voting for new parents would ensure Members don’t have to choose between representing their constituents and taking care of their newborns during such a critical time.
“The 119th Congress is the third oldest Congress since 1789 – and our internal House rules are partially to blame for that,” said Jacobs. “The House has largely failed to modernize and make changes to be more inclusive, accessible, and welcoming to young people including new parents and soon-to-be parents. During my first year in Congress, I froze my eggs and delayed starting a family partly because of the demands of this job and the constant travel. That’s why I’m so proud to be a part of this bipartisan coalition to give Members of Congress parental leave after giving birth so they don’t have to choose between their family and their jobs. This is a small but important step forward to make our government more representative of our country and ultimately pass policies that help families make ends meet and thrive.”
“Our government works best when the life experiences of the American people are represented,” said Pettersen. “Enabling new parents to vote by proxy while they spend time recovering and taking care of their newborn baby is an important step in modernizing Congress and addressing one of the significant barriers young parents face to serving.”
“No parent should have to choose between caring for their child, or recovering from childbirth, and fulfilling their duties in Congress to represent their constituents,” said Luna. “Congress needs to get with the times. This bipartisan proposal is vital in promoting a pro-family Washington, where every American has a voice and the unwavering representation they deserve.”
“Becoming a parent is one of the great joys in life, and it shouldn’t prevent members of Congress from being able to vote on critical legislation impacting their district,” said Lawler. “As the father of two young girls, I know how important it is to be with your children in those first few weeks. That’s why I’m working in a bipartisan way to establish proxy voting for new parents in Congress - so that new parents can continue to vote while caring for their newborns.”
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