'No go': Johnson shuts down expecting Dem rep’s proxy voting plea

14 January

An expecting Democratic lawmaker won't be able to cast her vote as Donald Trump nominees are confirmed this week.

US Rep. Brittany Petterson (D-CO) wrote via X on Monday: "Today marks the first day I am unable to fly to DC for votes due to travel restrictions ahead of my due date. It shouldn't be this way."

The Colorado lawmaker added, "Congress must pass my bipartisan resolution to allow Members who are new parents to vote remotely."

NBC News' Sahil Kapur reported on Tuesday that the resolution "is a no go," writing via X that Speaker Mike Johnson "says the Constitution doesn’t permit proxy voting."

The GOP leader said, "I’ve filed a brief with the United States Supreme Court asserting that proxy vote is unconstitutional. That's been my belief as a constitutional law litigator, and I don't see any way around that. And it's unfortunate."

Johnson continued, "I have great sympathy, empathy for all of our young women legislators who are of birthing age. It’s a real quandary. But I'm afraid it doesn't fit with the language of the Constitution, and that's the inescapable truth that we have."

However, one Republican lawmaker voiced her support of the resolution.

Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-FL) wrote: "That would be the case if the quorum clause wasn’t removed. I am calling up a discharge petition and am confident it will pass. I disagree with the speaker and so do other members. It will pass."

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