Press Releases

WASHINGTON – Today, the bipartisan Proxy Voting for New Parents Resolution – introduced by Representatives Brittany Pettersen (D-CO), Anna Paulina Luna (R-FL), Sara Jacobs (D-CA), and Mike Lawler (R-NY) – cleared a significant hurdle, bringing it one step closer to a vote on the House floor.

After Speaker Johnson blocked efforts to allow new parents in Congress to vote remotely, this bipartisan group of lawmakers filed a discharge petition. This procedure allows members to bypass House Republican leadership and force a vote on the legislation. The petition successfully garnered the required 218 signatures, bringing the resolution a step closer to a vote, despite opposition from House leadership.

“No Member of Congress should have to choose between caring for their newborn and representing their constituents,” said Pettersen. “While Speaker Johnson decided to not move forward with our resolution – despite bipartisan support – we refused to back down. I’m so grateful for all the people who stepped up and helped us get one step closer to modernizing Congress. Sam is only 6 weeks old, but he got to be a part of changing hearts and minds and addressing a barrier that prevents regular people from serving in Congress.”

“Members of congress shouldn’t have to choose between their commitment to their family and their constituents,” said Luna. “Today, we’re one step closer to ending that dilemma by allowing new and expecting mothers and fathers in Congress the option of voting by proxy. I’m proud of this bipartisan legislation, and we will be bringing it to a vote as soon as possible. We have received overwhelming support from a majority of the conference and have ensured that this legislation is in line with the constitution. If Congress wants to have a governing body that is truly reflective of the American people, it should allow and encourage new parents to vote while in office.”

“The American people are desperate for change – and one of the best places to start is by who represents them in Washington,” said Jacobs. “That’s why I’m so proud that we’ve forced a vote on our bipartisan resolution to allow parental leave for Members of Congress. Once passed, this will be a green light for more young people, more parents, and more soon-to-be parents to serve in this institution and pave the way for more pro-family policies. We have a long way to go to make the House more inclusive, accessible, and welcoming, but this is an amazing step forward.”

“I was proud to join Reps. Pettersen, Luna, and Jacobs to force a vote on the House floor on our resolution to allow parental voting by proxy as the 218th signature,” said Lawler. “As someone who’s had the blessing of being a parent twice, I’ve been personally affected during my time in Congress. I am glad this bill will go to the House floor for a full vote, and I look forward to celebrating its passage,”

Pettersen made history as only the 14th Member of Congress to give birth while serving. Prior to the birth of her son, Sam, she, alongside Representatives Luna, Jacobs, and Lawler, introduced their resolution to update outdated rules that prevent new parents from voting remotely. Despite bipartisan support, Speaker Johnson refused to implement this commonsense reform.

This work is the latest in Pettersen’s continued efforts to make government more inclusive and accessible, especially for young families. During her time in the Colorado legislature, she was the first state lawmaker in Colorado history to take parental leave after giving birth to her son, Davis. Pettersen had to seek permission from Leadership and categorize her absence as a “chronic illness” in order to be paid while on leave. That’s why she brought legislation to change the outdated law and allow for paid parental leave for all future Colorado state lawmakers.