Navigating Parenthood and Politics: Anna Paulina Luna and Postpartum Proxy Voting

Abstract

In August 2023, Congresswoman Anna Paulina Luna became the twelfth U.S. Representative to give birth while serving in office. After learning that there was no way for her to vote remotely in the House of Representatives while taking parental leave, Luna sought out a solution to grant pregnant congresspeople the right to represent their constituents during childbirth. Luna decided that the opportune solution would be instituting proxy voting, a system where legislators could designate another member of the House to vote for them. A proxy voting policy could modernize congressional operations and alter the viability of a congressional career for people of reproductive age. Yet, Luna had to weigh the ramifications of introducing proxy voting as a Republican woman during her first term in Congress against the potential benefits. Taking into consideration her party’s opposing stance on the issue, her duty to her constituents, and her proposed involvement in maternal-focused legislation, Luna had to decide whether to put forward proxy voting legislation.