Trump and Johnson Split Over Proxy Voting Debate

Man gesturing while speaking at a podium outside

President Trump and House Speaker Mike Johnson clash over a proposal allowing new parents in Congress to vote remotely, revealing a rare public disagreement between the Republican leaders.

Key Insights

President Trump supports allowing lawmakers with newborns to vote remotely for up to 12 weeks, stating: “If you’re having a baby, I think you should be able to call in and vote.”
Speaker Johnson opposes the measure, citing constitutional concerns and potential for abuse based on experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The bipartisan proposal, led 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 measure, causing a stall in legislative business.
Currently, there is no parental leave policy for voting in Congress, forcing lawmakers to be physically present regardless of personal circumstances.

Trump Breaks with Johnson on Proxy Voting

President Donald Trump has publicly endorsed a plan that would allow congressional lawmakers to vote remotely for up to 12 weeks after giving birth. The measure, championed by Florida Republican Representative Anna Paulina Luna, has created an unexpected policy split with House Speaker Mike Johnson, who remains firmly opposed to the proposal. Trump expressed confusion about the controversy, stating his straightforward position on the matter that has now divided Republican leadership.

The President’s backing adds significant weight to the bipartisan effort, potentially making it difficult for Johnson to maintain his opposition. This rare disagreement between Trump and Johnson comes as the House grapples with finding ways to accommodate lawmakers with newborns without compromising their legislative responsibilities. The issue has already disrupted House operations, with votes being canceled for the remainder of the week as leadership tries to navigate the impasse.

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

The Push for Parental Accommodations

Representative Luna initiated the push for proxy voting after her own experience giving birth last year. She has been a vocal advocate for creating accommodations for new parents in Congress, where currently no provisions exist for parental leave from voting. Luna has even initiated a discharge petition requiring 218 House members’ signatures to bypass leadership opposition and bring the measure directly to the floor for consideration.

“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 said.

Luna has shown flexibility in her approach, suggesting potential compromises to address concerns while still providing support for new mothers in Congress. “we discussed limiting the vote to just new moms who cannot physically travel in event of emergency etc. This is smart.,” Luna explained, demonstrating willingness to narrow the scope of the proposal to gain broader support. The initiative has already secured backing from the required 218 lawmakers, indicating majority support in the House despite leadership opposition.

Johnson’s Constitutional Concerns

Speaker Johnson has remained steadfast in his opposition to the proxy voting measure, citing constitutional issues and historical precedent. His resistance stems largely from concerns about potential abuse, pointing to experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic when temporary proxy voting was implemented. Johnson and other opponents argue that physical presence for voting is a fundamental aspect of congressional representation that should not be compromised, even for new parents.

“It was quickly abused. Republicans put an end to it then, and we cannot allow it again,” Johnson said.

Despite his opposition to proxy voting, Johnson has indicated a willingness to explore other solutions, stating that “Republicans are actively working on every possible accommodation to make Congressional service simpler for young mothers.” However, his attempt to block the proposal suffered a significant setback when nine Republicans joined Democrats to reject his plan, signaling that some within his own party see merit in allowing this specific exception to in-person voting requirements for new parents.

The Path Forward

As the disagreement continues, the House faces uncertainty about how to proceed. Trump’s endorsement adds a complex political dimension to what might otherwise have been a straightforward procedural debate. While expressing his support for the measure, the President has also indicated some deference to Johnson, stating, “I’m going to let the speaker make the decision, but I like the idea.” This measured approach leaves room for potential compromise.

Luna has criticized Republican leadership for what she characterizes as political maneuvering on the issue, urging them to stop playing games with Trump’s agenda. The standoff has already resulted in disruption to the House schedule, with votes canceled for the remainder of the week. Supporters of the proxy voting plan remain committed to advancing it, viewing it as an important step toward making Congress more accommodating to lawmakers balancing their constitutional duties with family responsibilities.