Mike Johnson Cancels Votes After Suffering Republican Rebellion

House Speaker Mike Johnson said he is canceling the week's voting agenda after several Republicans joined Democrats in a vote to change the rules to allow new parents in Congress to vote by proxy.

The announcement came after nine Republicans joined all Democrats in a 206-222 vote against Johnson's attempt to block plans that would allow lawmakers who become parents to vote remotely for up to three months. Johnson told reporters it was a "very disappointing result" and means "we can't have any further action on the floor this week."

The GOP rebellion, led by Florida Representative Anna Paulina Luna, was Johnson's biggest legislative blow of the year so far. The backlash adds pressure on the House speaker, who is already trying to pass bills with the GOP's thin majority while facing criticism from hardline Republican lawmakers.

The House voted Tuesday against blocking Luna from forcing a vote on allowing new parents to vote by proxy. Luna had previously tried to bring the rule to a vote, but Johnson held a procedural vote to kill it.

Lawmakers were able to override the move after Luna secured 218 discharge petitions, which allow a vote to proceed without the speaker's approval.

Luna and eight other Republicans voted against blocking proxy voting, which Johnson has long opposed.

Speaking to reporters at the Capitol, Johnson said 96 percent of House Republicans voted against proxy voting because they believe it is "unconstitutional" and could open a "Pandora's box."

Johnson said there will now be no more House votes until next week, including on bills such as the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act, which would require proof of citizenship to register to vote.

Johnson shared his comments on X, formerly Twitter, adding that the GOP rebellion means "we can't take any further action on President Trump's agenda this week."

The post included an "added context" section provided by users of the platform, which noted that Johnson "voluntarily" canceled the votes for the week and that there is "nothing stopping the speaker from putting up bills for a vote."

In response to the post, Luna said it is "disingenuous to lie" about whether she and the other Republicans who support proxy voting back Trump's agenda.

Luna also thanked X for "clarifying" Johnson's remarks, adding that he and House Majority Leader Steve Scalise "did not have to send us home."

Republicans who joined the rebellion said:

Ohio Representative Max Miller in a Tuesday statement: "I had a baby girl just over a year ago and in the first weeks of her life there were some complications. I cannot imagine a mother, who has spent 9 months going through the wringer, being told that you can't be with your infant only because you are one of 435 people. We are the pro-life, pro-family party. As a new dad, I just couldn't support it."

New York Representative Mike Lawler wrote on X: "As a father of two young children, including a daughter born 8 days before Election Day, this is a commonsense solution for our pro-family party to support."

Republicans against the proxy votes said:

House Speaker Mike Johnson: "A handful of Republicans joined with all the Democrats to take down a rule.

"That's rarely done. It's very unfortunate in this case. Ninety-six percent of Republicans voted against proxy voting because they believe it's unconstitutional and they agree it would open a Pandora's Box."

Georgia Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene posted: "I can't believe that Congress was hijacked this week over Luna's resolution to allow members to skip work and vote from home. As a mom, I know all about seasons of life. If you aren't capable of doing the job your constituents sent you to do, then you should step aside and let someone else do it."

Florida Representative Anna Paulina Luna posted on X: "I am 100 percent supportive of Trump's agenda. It is disingenuous to lie about me or the others Speaker Johnson. Thank you X for clarifying. Steve Scalise & Speaker Johnson did not have to send us home."

House GOP leaders will hope Republicans can defeat Luna's discharge petition when the House returns on Monday.