U.S. Rep. Brittany Pettersen holds her one-month-old baby Sam as she departs during a series of votes at the Capitol on March 1 in Washington, D.C. Photo: Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images
U.S. Rep. Brittany Pettersen on Tuesday celebrated a rare bipartisan victory in Congress.
The big picture: The Lakewood Democrat joined U.S. Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-Fla.) in backing a resolution to allow members of Congress who are new parents to vote by proxy — despite House Speaker Mike Johnson’s (R-La.) attempt to block it.
Why it matters: The proposed resolution marks a tentative victory for Pettersen and other parents or aspiring parents serving in Congress.
Between the lines: It’s a major loss for Johnson, whose attempts to snuff out the resolution angered some Republicans as it tied proxy voting to a bill prohibiting non-citizens from voting in federal elections.
- Nine House Republicans on Tuesday rejected Johnson’s attempt to block the resolution.
State of play: Pettersen lobbied for the rule change before giving birth to her second child on Jan. 25, introducing the bipartisan resolution alongside Luna and U.S. Reps. Sara Jacobs (D-Calif.) and Mike Lawler (R-N.Y.) weeks prior.
- The proposal would allow remote voting for new mothers and fathers for three months after their child is born.
Context: Luna launched what’s called a discharge petition, which can force a vote on a measure without the support of leadership if enough House members sign on, writes Axios’ Andrew Solender.
What they’re saying: “Don’t f— with moms,” Pettersen reportedly said on Tuesday alongside Luna, who’s also a mother, in addressing Johnson, per The Hill.
The other side: Johnson afterward called the decision “a disappointing result,” on Tuesday, saying most House Republicans believe proxy voting is “unconstitutional.”
What’s next: A vote on the resolution was expected this week, though Johnson signaled voting was canceled for the rest of the week.