The push to let new parents in Congress vote by proxy has sparked a fierce debate about priorities and the role of representatives. Supporters claim it’s about modernizing government, but conservatives argue it undermines constitutional duties and sets a dangerous precedent.
The Constitution requires lawmakers to be “present and voting” for a reason. Allowing members to skip votes — even for family reasons — erodes the bedrock principle that elected officials must show up to work. Speaker Mike Johnson rightly calls this a violation of two centuries of tradition, noting pandemic-era proxy voting led to widespread abuse under Nancy Pelosi’s leadership.
While 12 Republicans joined Democrats to force a vote on this proposal, many conservatives see it as a Trojan horse. It’s no coincidence the same lawmakers pushing this change also support expanding welfare programs and other big-government policies. Proxy voting could easily spread beyond new parents, creating a Congress where members phone it in instead of facing tough debates.
Lawmakers knew the job’s demands when they ran for office. No one forces them to start families while serving. Accommodating personal decisions at the expense of legislative integrity signals that Congress prioritizes comfort over responsibility. As Rep. Ralph Norman stressed: “You have to come to work. You have to be present.”
Democrats weaponized proxy voting during COVID to pass radical bills with minimal oversight. Republicans like Johnson who now oppose it have consistency: He voted against Pelosi’s system 39 times while using it strategically. Letting the left’s playbook dictate House rules again would be surrender.
With border chaos, inflation, and energy crises raging, Congress is wasting time on niche accommodations instead of national emergencies. The discharge petition process — meant for urgent matters — is being abused to push a fringe issue. Most Americans couldn’t care less about proxy voting while their paychecks shrink and communities become less safe.
If members can vote from home, why not just mail it in permanently? This proposal risks normalizing absentee governance, where politicians lose touch with DC debates — and by extension, the gravity of their decisions. The Founders designed Congress as a deliberative body, not a Zoom meeting.
Nine GOP lawmakers betrayed conservative principles to back this measure, ignoring the slippery slope it creates. Leadership should focus on passing budget reforms, securing elections, and countering Biden’s agenda — not coddling colleagues who want congressional perks. If Congress can’t handle showing up to work, maybe it’s time to send them home for good.
