HRES 23
Proxy Voting for New Parents Resolution
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Bill overview
This resolution allows Members of the House of Representatives to designate another Member as a proxy to cast votes on their behalf, or record their presence in the House, when they have given birth or their spouse has given birth. The proxy authorization lasts for up to 12 weeks, and specific procedures must be followed for designating and revoking the proxy. Additionally, the resolution extends this proxy voting authority to committee votes, with similar requirements. Crucially, proxies cannot be used to establish a quorum for votes.
Key provisions
- Members who have given birth or whose spouse has given birth can designate a proxy to vote on their behalf.
- Proxy authorization lasts for up to 12 weeks, with an option for prior designation in case of anticipated medical needs.
- Designation requires a signed letter submitted to the Clerk, specifying the proxy’s name and state.
- Members can revoke proxy authorization by casting their own vote, recording their presence, or submitting a written notice.
- Proxies can also be designated for committee votes, following a similar process.
- Proxies cannot be used to establish a quorum for votes.
- The Clerk must maintain an updated list of active proxy designations.
- Members must obtain exact voting instructions from the Member they are proxy voting for.
Who is affected
- Members of the House of Representatives
- Spouses of Members
- Delegates
- The Resident Commissioner
Notable changes
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119th CONGRESS — 1st Session
H. RES. 23
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
RESOLUTION
Permitting parental remote voting by proxy, and for other purposes.
This resolution may be cited as the Proxy Voting for New Parents Resolution
.
Except as provided under subparagraph (B), the authority to vote by proxy or record a presence pursuant to paragraph (1) shall begin on the date of the birth and shall terminate 12 weeks thereafter.
Notwithstanding subparagraph (A), a Member may instead make a designation prior to the birth of a child in the event that such Member’s health care provider advises that her pregnancy presents a serious medical condition or that she is unable to travel safely. Such authority to vote by proxy or record a presence shall terminate 12 weeks after the initial designation. Each week prior to the birth of the child during which a Member does not have a designated proxy shall not constitute a week for purposes of this subparagraph.
an affirmative statement of—
the birth of a child in the case of a designation under subparagraph (A) of subsection (a)(2); or
the existence of a medical condition related to pregnancy as stipulated by the Member’s health care provider in the case of a designation under subparagraph (B) of subsection (a)(2);
a statement of intent to vote by proxy, including the name and State of the Member who has agreed to be designated as a proxy; and
an original signature of the Member making the designation.
At any time after submitting a letter to designate a proxy under paragraph (1), such Member may submit to the Clerk a signed letter (which may be in electronic form) altering or revoking the designation.
If a Member who has designated another Member as a proxy under this section casts the Member’s own vote or records the Member’s own presence in the House or in the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union, the Member shall be considered to have revoked the designation of any proxy under this section. Revocation of proxy does not prohibit a Member from designating a proxy at a later time.
verify the letter;
notify the Speaker, the Majority Leader, the Minority Leader, and the other Member or Members involved in the designation, alteration, or revocation; and
if a letter is missing any of the items under subsection (b)(1), notify the submitting Member of the deficiency, which shall result in the proxy being unable to vote on the Member’s behalf.
Prior to casting the vote or recording the presence of another Member as a designated proxy under this section, the Member shall obtain an exact instruction from the other Member with respect to such vote. The Member voting by proxy, to the maximum extent practicable, shall provide written voting instruction to the Member serving as proxy.
Immediately prior to casting the vote or recording the presence of another Member as a designated proxy under this section, the Member shall seek recognition from the Chair to announce the intended vote or recorded presence pursuant to the exact instruction received from the other Member under paragraph (2).
A Member casting the vote or recording the presence of another Member as a designated proxy under this section shall cast such vote or record such presence pursuant to the exact instruction received from the other Member under paragraph (2).
If a Member who has designated another Member as a proxy under this section casts the Member’s own vote in a committee, the Member shall be considered to have revoked the designation of proxy in that committee under this section. Revocation of proxy does not prohibit a Member from designating a proxy at a later time.
Prior to casting the vote of another Member as a designated proxy under this section, the Member shall obtain an exact instruction from the other Member with respect to such vote. The Member voting by proxy, to the maximum extent practicable, shall provide written voting instruction to the Member serving as proxy.
For purposes of sections 2 and 3, the term Member shall include a Delegate and the Resident Commissioner and the term State shall include the District of Columbia and a territory, except that—