Proxy Voting for New Parents Resolution

This measure lets House members who just had a baby, whose spouse just had a baby, or who are pregnant and can’t travel safely (or have a serious medical condition) choose another member to vote for them. The stand‑in, called a proxy, can vote in committees, in the Committee of the Whole, and on the House floor. These proxy votes don’t count toward the number needed to start a meeting. The permission lasts up to 12 weeks. Members must send a signed letter naming their proxy, and they can end the proxy by showing up to vote themselves or, for committee votes, by sending a new letter to the chair and ranking member .

Key points:

• Who is affected: House members who gave birth, whose spouse gave birth, or who are pregnant and can’t travel safely or have a serious medical condition .
• What changes: These members may use a proxy to cast votes in committee and on the House floor; proxy votes don’t count for quorum; the member must file a signed letter to set it up and can revoke it by voting in person or notifying the committee leaders .
• How long: Up to 12 weeks per approved proxy period .
• Official purpose: Permitting parental remote voting by proxy, and for other purposes .