Republican Division Derails Key Trump-Backed Bills Amid Proxy Voting Dispute
GOP Infighting Puts Breaks on Agenda to Curb Lawfare and Election Fraud
A contentious intra-party dispute among House Republicans has temporarily halted critical legislation backed by the Trump administration, highlighting growing internal divisions that threaten to undermine the America First agenda.
At the center of the disruption is Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-FL), who publicly resigned from the House Freedom Caucus on Monday, citing “betrayal, blackmail, and abandonment of pro-family values” by fellow Republicans. The source of the controversy? A bipartisan proposal that would allow new parents in Congress to vote remotely for 12 weeks following childbirth or adoption.
Luna’s Proxy Voting Push Sparks Procedural Showdown
Rep. Luna’s bill, co-sponsored with Rep. Brittany Pettersen (D-CO), seeks to provide temporary proxy voting rights to new mothers and fathers serving in the House. Though initially dismissed as a fringe issue, Luna’s advocacy gained traction when she filed a discharge petition to force a floor vote. The petition surpassed the threshold of 218 signatures with the support of over 200 Democrats and 11 Republicans.
House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA), however, opposed the measure, citing constitutional concerns about proxy voting. In an attempt to block the bill, Republican leadership added language to an unrelated procedural rules package that would have undercut Luna’s efforts.
In response, Luna and eight other Republican members joined Democrats to tank the rules package—an uncommon and highly consequential procedural defeat that effectively halts legislative action for the week.
What Was at Stake: Key Bills Now Delayed
The failed rules package had cleared the way for debate on two critical pieces of legislation:
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A bill to restrict the ability of district court judges to issue nationwide injunctions, a move aimed at curbing lawfare tactics frequently used against Trump-era policies.
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A bill to require proof of citizenship to register to vote in federal elections, central to the Trump administration’s efforts to secure election integrity.
With the defeat of the procedural vote, neither bill can proceed to the House floor this week. Speaker Johnson expressed disappointment in the outcome, stating:
“It’s a very disappointing result on the floor there. A handful of Republicans joined with all the Democrats to take down a rule. That’s rarely done. It’s very unfortunate.”
The vote marked a rare instance of Republican defections leading directly to legislative gridlock. Democrats responded with cheers, celebrating the temporary halt of GOP-backed reforms.
The Nine Republicans Who Defied Leadership
The following Republican members voted with Democrats to defeat the rules package:
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Anna Paulina Luna (Florida)
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Tim Burchett (Tennessee)
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Nick LaLota (New York)
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Kevin Kiley (California)
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Jeff Van Drew (New Jersey)
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Greg Steube (Florida)
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Max Miller (Ohio)
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Mike Lawler (New York)
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Ryan Mackenzie (Pennsylvania)
Some of the names, such as Burchett, surprised observers due to their previous alignment with MAGA priorities. Burchett defended his vote, calling Luna’s legislation “pretty reasonable” in a video posted shortly after the floor proceedings.
Luna Declares Victory for Parental Rights
Despite the backlash from some within her own party, Luna celebrated the vote’s outcome as a victory for working parents and women in Congress. Speaking to reporters, she said:
“I think that today is a pretty historical day for the entire conference and showing that, yeah, the body has decided that parents deserve a voice in Washington and also to the importance of female members having a vote in Washington D.C.”
Political Fallout and the Path Forward
The unexpected derailment of key Trump-backed legislation underscores the delicate balance of power within the House Republican majority. With such a slim margin, even a handful of defections can cause legislative paralysis.
While Luna’s proxy voting proposal taps into broader cultural and family policy debates, critics argue the timing and method—particularly the use of a discharge petition—opened the door for Democrats to exploit internal Republican fissures.
As the House returns to business next week, it remains unclear whether the GOP will find consensus to advance its legislative agenda. What is certain, however, is that the battle over election integrity and judicial overreach will not remain sidelined for long.
This is a developing story.
