Proxy Voting for New Parents Resolution

Bill Number: H.Res. 23
Origin Chamber: House
Congress: 119th Congress, Session 1
Policy Area: Congress
Status: Introduced
Latest Action: 2025-01-09: Referred to the House Committee on Rules.
Last Updated: 2026-04-24T08:07:02Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose

This resolution aims to support new parents serving in the U.S. House of Representatives by allowing them to vote remotely through a designated proxy (another House member) during a 12-week period following childbirth. It enables these members to balance family responsibilities with their legislative duties without needing to be physically present in the House or its committees.

Key Provisions

Eligibility and Duration: Applies to House members who have given birth or whose spouse has given birth. Proxy voting can start on the birth date and last up to 12 weeks. In cases of serious pregnancy-related medical conditions (as advised by a healthcare provider), designation can occur before birth, but the 12-week clock starts from the initial designation.
Designation Process: The member submits a signed letter (electronic form allowed) to the Clerk of the House, including an affirmative statement about the birth or medical condition, the proxy's name and state, and the member's intent to use proxy voting. Designations can be altered or revoked at any time via a similar letter.
Proxy Voting in the House and Committee of the Whole:
Proxies cast votes or record presence using a ballot card marked "by proxy."
Proxies must follow exact instructions from the designating member (written instructions preferred) and announce the vote when recognized by the chair.
Proxy votes or presence do not count toward establishing a quorum (the minimum number of members needed to conduct business).
Proxy Voting in Committees: Members can designate a fellow committee member as a proxy for the same 12-week period. Similar rules apply for designation, instructions, revocation, and quorum exclusion.
Clerk's Role: The Clerk verifies submissions, notifies relevant leaders and parties, maintains a public list of active proxies, and flags any deficiencies in submissions.
Automatic Revocation: Proxy authority ends if the member personally votes or records presence, though they can redesignate later.
Application to Delegates and Resident Commissioner: Extends to non-voting delegates (e.g., from territories) and the Resident Commissioner from Puerto Rico, but they cannot use proxies to vote in the full House—only to have proxies vote for them in limited ways. They can serve as proxies only for each other.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

Overrides House Rule III (governing member conduct and voting) and Rule XI (committee procedures) to permit proxy voting specifically for new parents, which is not currently allowed under standard rules requiring physical presence for voting.
Introduces a structured, temporary exception for family-related absences, differing from past ad-hoc accommodations or broader remote voting rules used during emergencies (e.g., the COVID-19 pandemic).

Potential Impacts

On Government Agencies: Primarily affects House operations, with the Clerk's office handling additional administrative tasks like verification and public lists. No direct impact on executive agencies or Senate procedures.
On Citizens: Indirectly benefits constituents by ensuring their representatives (especially new parents) can continue participating in legislation without extended absences, promoting continuity in governance.
On International Relations: Minimal to none, as this is an internal House procedural rule with no bearing on foreign policy or treaties.

Main Stakeholders Affected

House Members: Especially those becoming parents, who gain flexibility to vote without travel; also proxies (other members) who must adhere to strict instructions.
House Leadership: Speaker, Majority Leader, and Minority Leader are notified of designations and may influence implementation.
Clerk of the House: Responsible for processing and publicizing proxy information.
Delegates and Resident Commissioner: Gain similar accommodations but with restrictions on full House voting.
Broader Congress: Could set a precedent for future family-friendly rules, affecting recruitment and retention of diverse members.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

Legal: Ensures proxy voting maintains integrity by requiring exact instructions and announcements, reducing risks of misrepresentation. The quorum exclusion prevents proxies from artificially inflating attendance for business thresholds.
Constitutional: Aligns with Article I of the U.S. Constitution, which grants each chamber (House and Senate) authority to set its own rules, making this a valid internal adjustment without broader legal challenges.
Political: Promotes gender equity and work-life balance in Congress, potentially encouraging more women and parents to run for office. However, it may spark debates on voting authenticity, quorum integrity, or unequal treatment compared to other absences (e.g., illness or military service), though bipartisan sponsorship (from Democrats and Republicans) suggests broad support. As a resolution, it requires House approval and could be temporary or revisited in future Congresses.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. Pettersen, Brittany [D-CO-7]

Cosponsors (176)

Rep. Luna, Anna Paulina [R-FL-13], Rep. Jacobs, Sara [D-CA-51], Rep. Lawler, Michael [R-NY-17], Rep. Gomez, Jimmy [D-CA-34], Rep. Fitzpatrick, Brian K. [R-PA-1], Rep. Leger Fernandez, Teresa [D-NM-3], Rep. Ciscomani, Juan [R-AZ-6], Rep. Perez, Marie Gluesenkamp [D-WA-3], Rep. Kim, Young [R-CA-40], Rep. Van Drew, Jefferson [R-NJ-2], Rep. Neguse, Joe [D-CO-2], Rep. McGovern, James P. [D-MA-2], Rep. Wasserman Schultz, Debbie [D-FL-25], Rep. Ruiz, Raul [D-CA-25], Rep. Cleaver, Emanuel [D-MO-5], Rep. Khanna, Ro [D-CA-17], Rep. Pressley, Ayanna [D-MA-7], Rep. Moulton, Seth [D-MA-6], Rep. Crockett, Jasmine [D-TX-30], Rep. Castro, Joaquin [D-TX-20], Rep. Mullin, Kevin [D-CA-15], Rep. Houlahan, Chrissy [D-PA-6], Rep. Landsman, Greg [D-OH-1], Rep. Dean, Madeleine [D-PA-4], Rep. Schakowsky, Janice D. [D-IL-9], Rep. Quigley, Mike [D-IL-5], Rep. Golden, Jared F. [D-ME-2], Rep. Frankel, Lois [D-FL-22], Rep. Sánchez, Linda T. [D-CA-38], Rep. Ansari, Yassamin [D-AZ-3], Rep. Menendez, Robert [D-NJ-8], Rep. Magaziner, Seth [D-RI-2], Rep. Trahan, Lori [D-MA-3], Rep. Peters, Scott H. [D-CA-50], Rep. Mackenzie, Ryan [R-PA-7], Rep. Tlaib, Rashida [D-MI-12], Rep. Crow, Jason [D-CO-6], Rep. Meng, Grace [D-NY-6], Rep. Tokuda, Jill N. [D-HI-2], Rep. Lynch, Stephen F. [D-MA-8], Rep. Lofgren, Zoe [D-CA-18], Rep. Crenshaw, Dan [R-TX-2], Rep. DeGette, Diana [D-CO-1], Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC], Rep. Bonamici, Suzanne [D-OR-1], Rep. Evans, Dwight [D-PA-3], Rep. Scanlon, Mary Gay [D-PA-5], Rep. Burchett, Tim [R-TN-2], Rep. Underwood, Lauren [D-IL-14], Rep. Vargas, Juan [D-CA-52] and 126 more

Recent Actions

2025-01-09: Referred to the House Committee on Rules.
2025-01-09: Submitted in House
2025-01-09: Submitted in House

Bill Versions

Proxy Voting for New Parents Resolution — issued 2025-01-09 — PDF (9 pages)