Republicans Turn On Each Other Over Voting Rules

The debate on proxy voting continues to cause a rift among Republicans, with President Donald Trump now weighing in.

Trump backed Florida Representative Anna Paulina Luna over House Speaker Mike Johnson and multiple MAGA lawmakers in supporting the idea that new parents should be able to cast House votes by proxy. Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump said, “I don’t know why it’s controversial.”

Newsweek has contacted the offices of Johnson and Luna for comment via email.

Why It Matters

Trump siding with Luna on proxy voting increases pressure on Johnson, who already faces a possible struggle to remain House speaker if he cannot unite Republicans while holding a narrow majority in the House.

Mike Johnson in DC — Speaker of the House Mike Johnson participates in a ceremonial swearing-in with Representative Randy Fine at the Capitol on April 02, 2025 in Washington, DC.

Kayla Bartkowski/Getty Images

What to Know

Luna and Democratic Representative Brittany Pettersen of Colorado have been working to pass legislation that would allow House members to vote by proxy for up to 12 weeks following the birth or adoption of a child.

Johnson strongly opposed the proposal and attempted to block it without a floor vote. Luna secured 218 signatures on a discharge petition, allowing a vote to proceed without the speaker’s approval.

On Tuesday, nine Republicans joined all Democrats in a 222–206 vote defeating Johnson’s procedural rule, which would have blocked Luna from forcing action on the proxy voting proposal.

Trump said he was “in favor” of allowing new parents in Congress to vote by proxy while speaking aboard Air Force One on Thursday.

In a post on X, formerly Twitter, Luna said Johnson had spoken to her about potentially lifting the proxy voting ban for new mothers who “cannot physically travel in event of emergency etc.”

Johnson and several other Republicans have criticized the proxy voting plan and have taken aim at Luna for the disruption it has caused. Following the failed attempt to halt the proposal’s progress, Johnson canceled House votes for the remainder of the week.

Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia said in a post on X on Tuesday that Luna and Democrats “hijacked” Congress to allow members to “skip work and vote from home.”

In a follow-up post, Greene said Thursday Luna’s plan would allow “senile” members of Congress to “proxy vote from their nursing homes.”

Illinois Representative Mary Miller wrote in reply to Greene’s social media post: “We cannot let this happen!”

Representative Thomas Massie of Kentucky, a longtime critic of Johnson, sided with the speaker on proxy voting. Massie said allowing members to vote remotely is “unconstitutional” and “foolish” to delay Congress over.

Luna pushed back on claims she is to blame for House votes being suspended for the rest of the week. She argued that Johnson and House Majority Leader Steve Scalise could still have scheduled votes on key bills such as the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act, which would require proof of citizenship to register to vote.

Johnson said Wednesday he is still against proxy voting but is working on “every possible accommodation” to make congressional service simpler for new mothers.

What People are Saying

President Donald Trump aboard Air Force One on Thursday: “I don’t know why it’s controversial. I think that I’m gonna let the speaker make the decision. But I like the idea. If you’re having a baby, I think you should be able to call in and vote. I’m in favor of that.”

Representative Anna Paulina Luna posted on X: “Update: Speaker Johnson has called me after POTUS statement and we discussed limiting the vote to just new moms who cannot physically travel in event of an emergency etc. This is smart. Also, this should not have anything to do with the legislation being passed for the president. I’ve told him this.”

GOP New York Representative Mike Lawler wrote on X: “New and expectant parents should not be prevented from doing their jobs and representing their districts. Thanks Donald Trump for supporting this common-sense, pro-family, pro-life measure championed by Anna Paulina Luna. Proud to co-lead this effort.”

Georgia Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene posted on X: “If the Democrat’s resolution led by Anna Paulina Luna passes, they will add more reasons to proxy vote from home! And the next thing you know, old senile members of Congress will stay until they die and proxy vote from their nursing homes!!”

Texas Representative Chip Roy said in a statement: “Proxy voting is unconstitutional—a fact as clear today as it was during COVID. The Founders considered and rejected it, which is why I’ve never cast a vote by proxy or on behalf of someone else. The people elected us to advance President Trump’s agenda to secure the border and cut spending, not to waste time to change the House rules for our own convenience. Americans across the country clock in every day—Congress should too.”

Kentucky Representative Thomas Massie posted on X Monday: “A fight over allowing Congressmen to vote by proxy caused the Speaker to cancel all votes in Congress this week. 1. Proxy voting is unconstitutional. 2. It’s foolish to delay our agenda for an entire week while we control Congress and the presidency!”

House Speaker Mike Johnson said Wednesday: “While I understand the pure motivations of the few Republican proxy vote advocates, I simply cannot support the change they seek. The procedural vote yesterday was our effort to advance President Trump’s important legislative agenda while disabling a discharge petition that would force proxy voting and open a dangerous Pandora’s box for the institution.

“Proxy voting aside, I am actively working on every possible accommodation to make Congressional service simpler for young mothers. As the pro-family party, our aim as Republicans is to support those principles while also defending our constitutional traditions.”