House Republicans Try — And Fail — to Squash Proposal Allowing New Parents in Congress to Vote Remotely

“This entire process has been the most disappointing, especially from among my party,” Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, the author of the proposal, said.

Rep. Anna Paulina Luna

Rep. Anna Paulina Luna attends a news conference with House and Senate Republicans on the “debt crisis.” Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call via AP

House Republican leaders thought Tuesday was the day they could kill a discharge petition forcing a floor vote on a proposed House rule to allow new parents to vote remotely.

But the effort to squash Rep. Anna Paulina Luna’s discharge petition failed, with nine Republicans joining all Democrats to vote down a rule on the House floor and keep the discharge petition alive. And now, House leaders are contending with a new reality: Luna’s resolution might succeed.

Republicans attached instructions killing the discharge petition to a rule setting up floor debate for a number of unrelated bills, including legislation that would require individuals to provide proof of citizenship to register to vote and a measure that would deal with overdraft fees.