Speaker Johnson Halts House Votes After Internal GOP Revolt Over Proxy Voting for Parents
In a dramatic and politically charged move, House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) abruptly canceled all votes for the remainder of the week, effectively stalling progress on key Republican legislation, including the SAVE Act and proposals aimed at curbing judicial activism. The decision came in the wake of an embarrassing defeat on the House floor, where a bipartisan coalition circumvented Johnson’s efforts to block a rule change allowing proxy voting for new parents in Congress.
Internal GOP Clash Freezes Legislative Agenda
The legislative meltdown was triggered by a discharge petition spearheaded by Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-FL) and Rep. Brittany Pettersen (D-CO). The duo, with the backing of 218 House members—including 11 Republicans—forced consideration of a measure allowing members on parental leave to vote remotely. Luna, who celebrated the win as a historic moment for working parents in Congress, called the outcome a victory for family representation.
The rule change was met with fierce opposition from conservative Republicans, who viewed the push for proxy voting as a self-serving maneuver and an abandonment of duty. Speaker Johnson attempted to torpedo the petition through a last-minute procedural rule change, but the tactic failed when nine Republicans joined Democrats to defeat the measure on the floor.
Johnson’s Response: Total Recess
In response to the procedural loss, Johnson chose to recess the House until Monday—despite holding the authority to reintroduce a new rule or bring critical legislation like the SAVE Act to the floor without one. The move, announced just two days into the legislative week, drew heavy criticism from conservatives, who viewed it as a capitulation and a dereliction of leadership.
“This means we can’t take any further action on President Trump’s agenda this week,” Johnson wrote on X (formerly Twitter). “No SAVE Act. No vote to address rogue judges attacking Trump. No votes to repeal Biden regulations.”
Critics were quick to point out that Johnson’s statement was misleading. Congressional procedure allows the Speaker to pursue alternative legislative strategies, including suspending rules to bring bills to the floor. Johnson’s decision to adjourn was, according to legislative experts, entirely discretionary.
Conservative Backlash Mounts
The reaction from the Republican base was swift and blistering. Influential conservative voices condemned both the proxy voting campaign and Johnson’s retreat as damaging to the party’s legislative goals and the Trump agenda.
Political commentator Nick Sortor posted, “REMINDER TO CONGRESS: THIS IS NOT ABOUT YOU. You work for the American people. If you can’t do the job, RESIGN.” Others, including social media personality “Catturd,” accused Johnson of failing to deliver on promises to support Trump and advance conservative priorities.
Some GOP voters, particularly those with working-class backgrounds, expressed outrage at what they saw as Congress placing its own comfort ahead of their constituents’ struggles. One user wrote, “I had to go back to work two weeks after my three children because I couldn’t afford to go without food for them… They really showed their selfishness.”
Luna Defiant Amid Party Frustration
Despite backlash from fellow Republicans, Rep. Luna stood by her advocacy for parental proxy voting. She characterized the rule change as a necessary adaptation for modern family life and legislative inclusivity. Critics, however, argue the change sends the wrong message during a time of rising judicial overreach, executive overregulation, and intense national stakes.
The symbolic defeat of Speaker Johnson on the floor has raised deeper questions about party unity, discipline, and strategic leadership within the House GOP majority.
A Strategic Misstep or a Calculated Retreat?
With only four legislative days remaining next week before a scheduled two-week recess, Johnson’s decision to end business early has been labeled by some as political malpractice. Rather than regroup and drive forward with key priorities, critics say Johnson allowed progressives to claim a symbolic victory while derailing momentum on significant Republican initiatives.
As Jake Sherman of Punchbowl News noted, “This is a choice. They can bring up the SAVE Act at any time without a rule. They can go back to rules. It’s only Tuesday.”
Whether Speaker Johnson uses the upcoming days to regroup or faces continued dissent within his ranks remains to be seen. But one fact is certain: a single procedural defeat has once again exposed deep fractures within the Republican conference—fractures that could jeopardize the party’s ability to govern and maintain momentum heading into a critical election year.
