House conservative defies Johnson over remote voting for new moms in Congress

[Dulcinea]

Washington (CNN)— GOP Rep. Anna Paulina Luna repeatedly tried to convince Speaker Mike Johnson that he — as a pro-family champion — should back her push to allow new mothers to vote remotely for six weeks while they are recovering from birth.

He refused. Then, she turned to Democrats.

The House Freedom Caucus member is now teaming up with a group of House Democrats, backed by Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, on a measure that would give even more flexibility to new parents — a full 12 weeks for remote voting for mothers as well as fathers.

She and her lead partner on the Democratic side, a very pregnant Rep. Brittany Pettersen, plan to soon force the measure to the floor using a discharge petition, which is a highly unusual step for a member to take against their own leadership. And they believe it will pass, since only a handful of Republicans would need to join Democrats in support.

https://www.cnn.com/2025/01/18/politics/house-remote-voting-new-moms-congress/index.html

[Bleacher Creature]

1. Such a typical Republican move

Zero empathy for others, but they suddenly see the light when it impacts them directly.

[Ocelot II]

2. The GOP thinks women shouldn't be in Congress at all,

so making it difficult for women in Congress who are mothers actually is "pro-family" in their minds - in their view mothers should just stay at home.