Washington, D.C. — Florida Republican Rep. Anna Paulina Luna announced Monday that she is resigning from the House Freedom Caucus, citing what she called a betrayal of trust by fellow members over a proposed rule to allow new parents in Congress to vote by proxy.
In a letter shared with her colleagues and obtained by CBS News, Luna said her decision came with a “heavy heart”, but she could no longer remain in a group that she felt had turned against her and the very values it claims to uphold.
Why Did Luna Resign from the Freedom Caucus?
At the heart of the conflict is Luna’s discharge petition, which would allow new parents in Congress to designate a colleague to vote on their behalf for up to 12 weeks after giving birth or becoming a parent. The petition also extends to lawmakers with serious medical conditions or those unable to travel safely.
The measure has bipartisan support, but it faces opposition from House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Louisiana Republican, who believes proxy voting is unconstitutional. Johnson and others have been working behind the scenes to block the proposal.
Luna Calls Out Freedom Caucus for Sabotaging Effort
In her resignation letter, Luna said members of the Freedom Caucus threatened to stop House floor activity if Speaker Johnson did not take steps to block her parenting bill.
“This tactic was not just a betrayal of trust; it was a descent into the very behavior we have long condemned,” Luna wrote. “My respect for those colleagues has been shattered.”
Luna also claimed that Republicans who supported her proposal were pressured to back down, with threats that their bills wouldn’t be brought up for a vote and that the party would withhold fundraising support.
GOP Appears to Be Targeting the Petition Procedurally
On Monday, Republican leadership appeared to take procedural steps to derail Luna’s discharge petition. Lawmakers on the House Rules Committee debated adding language to an unrelated election security bill, potentially complicating the vote on Luna’s measure.
Democratic Rep. Jim McGovern of Massachusetts called out the move, accusing Republicans of trying to kill a bipartisan idea using backdoor politics.
“You guys are trying to derail the discharge petition,” McGovern said, reading from Luna’s letter.
Background: Proxy Voting and Partisan Debate
Proxy voting was first introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic under Democratic leadership to allow lawmakers to vote remotely. But Republicans, including members of the Freedom Caucus, eliminated proxy voting when they took control of the House in 2023, calling it unconstitutional and open to abuse.
Luna’s proposal attempts to bring back a limited and purpose-driven version of proxy voting — one focused only on parental and medical needs, not general convenience.