Anna Paulina Luna resigns over proxy voting bill conflict

In the United States, Representative Anna Paulina Luna announced her resignation from the House Freedom Caucus on March 31, 2025, amid discord surrounding her proposed proxy voting bill. The measure aimed to allow new parents in Congress to vote remotely for 12 weeks around the birth of their child. Luna, a Republican from Florida, expressed profound disappointment regarding the treatment from her colleagues, alleging incidents of backroom dealing and betrayals within the caucus. She emphasized that her attempts to secure a vote on this family-centered provision experienced significant opposition from both caucus members and House leadership. Luna's proposal not only intended to support new parents but was also considered a necessary reform given the increasing number of young parents in Congress. The measure sought to allow lawmakers to designate colleagues to vote for them if they were unable to attend due to childbirth or serious medical conditions. During a tense period within the caucus, many members rallied against Luna's initiative, even threatening to halt unrelated legislative proceedings unless House Speaker Mike Johnson intervened to block her proposal. Despite garnering some support from within her party, Luna faced significant pushback, leading her to conclude that her mission to facilitate remote voting for new parents was at risk. The unraveling trust between Luna and her fellow Freedom Caucus members was fundamentally impacted by their tactics against her bill, prompting her to take action in leaving the group. She openly criticized the conduct of some members, suggesting they had resorted to practices they condemned in others and thus compromised the caucus's core values. The House Freedom Caucus, formed in 2015 with a vision to create reform within Congress, has seen prior member resignations and expulsions for diverging from its principles. Luna’s decision adds to this history, reflecting ongoing tensions as the group navigates internal disputes over policy priorities. The future of the proxy voting bill remains uncertain as roadblocks are put in place by those opposing it, showcasing deep divides among Republicans in Congress as they grapple with modernizing procedural rules to accommodate new family dynamics.