Contact Congress about H.Res. 23: Proxy Voting for New Parents Resolution
New House parents could have another member cast votes for them for up to 12 weeks. The member would have to give written notice, and the proxy would have to follow exact voting instructions. Proxy votes would not count toward a quorum, the minimum number of members needed to conduct business.
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Proxy Voting for New Parents Resolution is a House bill in committee. The latest recorded action: Referred to the House Committee on Rules.
Latest action on H.Res. 23: Referred to the House Committee on Rules.
Who this affects: This bill mainly affects House members who become new parents. It gives them a way to keep voting during birth, recovery, or some pregnancy-related medical needs without being physically present. It also affects the members who serve as proxies, the Clerk of the House, committee leaders, Delegates, and the Resident Commissioner.
Why this matters: This matters because House members who become new parents may face a choice between family or medical needs and being present for votes. The resolution would create a formal way for them to keep taking part for a short period. At the same time, it keeps a key limit: proxy-represented members would not count toward a quorum, so the House would still need enough members physically present to do official business.
Key provisions in H.Res. 23
- A House member could have another member vote for them after giving birth or after their spouse gives birth. The proxy could also record the member as present on the House floor and in the Committee of the Whole.
- The standard proxy period would start on the birth date. It would end 12 weeks later.
- A member could start proxy voting before birth for a serious pregnancy-related medical problem or unsafe travel. A health care provider would have to confirm it, and weeks with no active proxy would not count against the 12-week limit.
- Members would use signed and dated letters to create, change, or cancel a proxy. Floor letters would go to the Clerk of the House, and committee letters would go to committee leaders.
- A floor proxy would end automatically if the member comes in person and votes or records presence in the House or Committee of the Whole. The same rule would apply inside each committee.
How Modern Action helps you take action on H.Res. 23
You do not have to start with a blank letter. Modern Action turns the bill, your position, and the relevant congressional context into a message you can edit and send. The goal is to make contacting Congress clear, specific, and useful without forcing you to parse bill text or figure out the right office on your own.
Questions people ask about H.Res. 23
- What is H.Res. 23?
- New House parents could have another member cast votes for them for up to 12 weeks. The member would have to give written notice, and the proxy would have to follow exact voting instructions. Proxy votes would not count toward a quorum, the minimum number of members needed to conduct business.
- How do I support or oppose H.Res. 23?
- Choose support, oppose, or ask for changes on Modern Action. The action flow drafts the message for you and keeps the wording tied to this bill.
- Who should I contact about H.Res. 23?
- Modern Action uses your location to route the action to the congressional offices relevant to the bill and your representation.
- Can Modern Action explain H.Res. 23 before I act?
- Yes. Modern Action gives you a plain-English summary, current status, and action context before you send anything.
