The GOP House just shut down its entire session because new parents want to vote remotely—proving that “family values” was always just a marketing slogan for these hypocrites.
At a Glance
- Speaker Mike Johnson halted all House work after losing a procedural vote that would have blocked proxy voting for new parents
- Nine Republicans joined Democrats to defeat Johnson’s measure, igniting a bitter internal GOP feud
- Johnson claims proxy voting is “unconstitutional” despite having used it himself during the pandemic
- The shutdown means critical bills like the SAVE Act for election integrity won’t get voted on this week
- Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, who had a child in 2023, led the Republican rebellion against leadership
Family Values Party Suddenly Hates Families
In a stunning display of just how dysfunctional our Republican-led House has become, Speaker Mike Johnson has thrown a tantrum and shut down all legislative business for the week because—wait for it—some lawmakers want new parents to be able to vote remotely. That’s right, folks.
The party that never shuts up about family values is now actively fighting against accommodations for representatives who’ve just welcomed newborns into their families. The irony is thicker than the stack of bills that won’t get voted on because Johnson took his ball and went home after losing a procedural vote Tuesday.
This embarrassing episode began when Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, who had a child in 2023, gathered enough signatures on a discharge petition to force a vote on allowing proxy voting for new parents. Johnson, apparently terrified at the thought of moms and dads being able to cast votes while caring for their newborns, attempted to block this measure through a procedural maneuver.
When nine Republicans joined with Democrats to defeat his blocking attempt, Johnson responded by canceling all votes for the remainder of the week.
Speaker Mike Johnson, who’s the leader of the U.S. House of Representatives, is upset because something just happened that stopped a lot of important plans for the week. Here’s what’s going on:
1. What’s a "rule" in this context?
In the House of Representatives, a "rule" is like…— Freedom of reach is freedom of speech (@colinsdav) April 1, 2025
Constitutional Concerns or Convenient Excuse?
Johnson claims his opposition is based on constitutional principles, arguing that remote voting violates the Constitution’s requirement for members to be physically present. But this principled stance seems awfully convenient given that Johnson himself happily participated in proxy voting during the pandemic.
Apparently, the Constitution is flexible when it suits him but rigid as steel when it comes to accommodating new parents. It’s the kind of philosophical gymnastics that would make even the most seasoned politician blush with embarrassment.
“Let me just make this clear. That rule being brought down means we cannot have any further action on the floor this week. That means we will not be voting on the SAVE Act for election integrity. We will not be voting on the rogue judges that are attacking President Trump’s agenda. … All that was just wiped off the table. It is very unfortunate.”, says Speaker Mike Johnson.
So let me get this straight—we can’t secure our elections or rein in activist judges because Johnson is mad that lawmakers want to hold their newborns while voting? This, ladies and gentlemen, is what passes for leadership in today’s GOP. I’m sure the American people who elected these representatives to actually do their jobs are thrilled to know that crucial legislation is being held hostage over what amounts to a workplace accommodation dispute.
The Rebellion of the Reasonable
The nine Republicans who joined with Democrats to defeat Johnson’s blocking measure deserve credit for putting common sense above party loyalty. Among them are Republicans who understand the real-world challenges facing working parents. Rep. Ryan Mackenzie stated what should be obvious to anyone living in the 21st century: “I think we need to make more accommodations in society for pregnant women and expecting mothers.” What a radical concept! Meanwhile, Rep. Wesley Hunt shared a heartbreaking story about missing time with his seriously ill son due to in-person voting obligations.
“We worked as a team and I think that today is a pretty historical day for the entire conference. It’s showing that the body has decided that parents deserve a voice in Washington, and also to the importance of female members having a hope in Washington, D.C.” – Rep. Anna Paulina Luna.
But not everyone in the GOP sees it that way. The establishment wing of the party is furious about the rebellion. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, never one to miss an opportunity to say something completely detached from reality, complained: “America did not vote for Congress paternity proxy voting at home.” I hate to break it to the Congresswoman, but most Americans are far more concerned about lawmakers actually governing than they are about whether someone casts a vote while holding their baby.
What’s Really Going On Here
This isn’t about the Constitution or parliamentary procedure or preserving institutional integrity. This is about control. Johnson and his allies are livid that a group of lawmakers dared to work across the aisle to advance a common-sense solution. Heaven forbid Republicans and Democrats find something they can agree on! The real sin here wasn’t proxy voting—it was cooperation. In today’s hyper-partisan House, that’s apparently unforgivable.
The Democrat Rep. Pettersen’s colorful language aside, she’s not wrong. The petty tyranny on display from Johnson is precisely why Americans are so fed up with Congress. Instead of tackling inflation, securing the border, or addressing any of the actual crises facing our nation, the House is paralyzed because the Speaker can’t handle a minor procedural defeat.
This is what happens when ego trumps service, when political games become more important than governing. The American people deserve better—much better—than what they’re getting from this fractured, dysfunctional House.
