Allows Members of the House of Representatives, Delegates, and the Resident Commissioner to designate a proxy to vote on their behalf in the House, in committee, and in the Committee of the Whole for a period of 12 weeks following the birth of a child or in the event of a pregnancy-related serious medical condition.
Brittany Pettersen
Representative
CO-7
The "Proxy Voting for New Parents Resolution" allows Members of the House, Delegates, and the Resident Commissioner who have recently given birth or whose spouse has given birth to designate another Member to vote on their behalf in the House, in committee, and in the Committee of the Whole for a period of 12 weeks. This proxy voting authority can begin before the birth if a doctor advises that the pregnancy presents a serious medical condition or that she is unable to travel safely. The resolution outlines specific procedures for designating, changing, and revoking proxy designations, ensuring transparency and adherence to instructions. Members whose votes are cast by proxy will not be counted for quorum purposes.
House Passes Proxy Voting for New Parents: Members Can Vote Remotely for Up to 12 Weeks After Childbirth
The House just greenlit a resolution called the "Proxy Voting for New Parents Resolution," letting Members vote remotely via a designated proxy for up to 12 weeks after childbirth, or if there are pregnancy-related medical conditions. This means new parents in Congress can keep representing their constituents without having to physically be in D.C. during those crucial first weeks. The change also applies if a Member's spouse gives birth.
New Rules of the Game
This resolution isn't just a free pass to skip votes. It lays out a pretty specific process. A Member has to formally designate another Member as their proxy by sending a signed letter to the Clerk of the House. That letter needs to state the reason (birth or medical condition) and who they're picking as their proxy. The clock starts ticking on the birth date, and the proxy voting period lasts for 12 weeks. If a doctor advises against travel before the birth due to a serious medical condition, a Member can designate a proxy early, but the total proxy period is still capped at 12 weeks after that initial designation (Sec. 2). The resolution also details specific procedures for making changes to or revoking a proxy designation, and how the proxy casts votes on behalf of the member (Sec 2).
Committee Work Covered, Too
The resolution extends to committee work. A Member can designate a proxy for each committee they're on, following a similar letter-writing procedure to the committee chair and ranking minority member (Sec. 3). This keeps things moving even if a Member can't physically attend meetings. It is important to note that a member whose vote is cast by proxy will not be counted for establishing a quorum, both in the House and in committee (Sec. 2 & 3).
Who's Included (and How It Works)
This isn't just for Representatives. Delegates and the Resident Commissioner are also covered, treating their territories or D.C. like states. There are a couple of catches, though. They can't use this to vote in the full House (they don't have full voting rights anyway), and they can only be designated as proxies by each other (Sec. 4). The resolution also specifies how members voting by proxy must cast their vote, using a ballot card indicating they are voting by proxy, and that they must receive exact instructions, preferably in writing, from the member for whom they are voting (Sec. 2).
While this offers flexibility for new parents, it also introduces potential complexities. For example, the "serious medical condition" clause could be open to interpretation, and there's always the risk of miscommunication when one Member is voting on behalf of another. But, overall, it's a move to modernize how Congress operates, recognizing that life – and parenthood – happens.